Conversation

Unlike other birds, which get pigments from their diets, parrots produce their own—but scientists never fully understood the underlying mechanisms, until now.

Flamingos get their signature pink hue by eating shrimp, while boobies’ feet turn bright blue because of their fishy diets.

But how do #parrots get their vivid red, yellow and green feathers? This query has long perplexed scientists: they’re one step closer to solving the mystery.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-simple-chemical-shift-explains-why-parrots-are-so-colorful-study-suggests-180985380/

@SmithsonianMag