Lipochromes create red feathers: scarlet macaw

1 of 1 Scarlet macaw feathers / Christoph Di.. / License

The feathers of scarlet macaws gain their red coloration via five lipochromes produced only in parrots.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Ultraviolet reflectance, pigmentation, coloration, structural coloring.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"In this first examination of the variety of colourful pigments present in parrot feathers, we studied 44 parrot species from 27 genera and found that they all use the same set of five lipochromes to colour their feathers red…Red parrot feathers also differ in colour intensity, from the light-pink hue of several cockatoos to the deep red of red lories (Eos bornea)…The only reports of these pigments in nature are from parrot feathers…There are several other lines of evidence that point to a non-dietary origin of these pigments, including (i) the absence of these pigments from diet samples of certain captive parrots (K.J.M., personal observation) and (ii) the ability of parrots to maintain striking plumage colouration in captivity despite tremendous variation in diet (which is not the case for diet-derived carotenoid colouration; reviewed in Stradi et al. 2001). Stradi et al. (2001) supposed that parrots derive these acyclic polyenal lipochromes either by the addition of acetate units to acetyl CoA or by fatty-acid desaturation. What remains unclear is why parrots are the only group of organisms capable of manufacturing/harbouring these colourants." (McGraw and Nogare 2005:41-42)

About the inspiring organism

Scarlet Macaw
Ara macao (Linnaeus, 1758)
[Guacamaya roja]

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat(s): Forest

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Ultraviolet reflectance, pigmentation, coloration, structural coloring.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, carpets, furniture, optics, photovoltaics, electronics, paint, coatings, textiles, construction, buildings

Experts

School of Letters and Sciences
Kevin J. McGraw
Arizona State University

References

McGraw, K. J.; Nogare, M. C. 2005. Distribution of unique red feather pigments in parrots. Biology Letters. 1(1): 38-43.

Lipochromes create red feathers: scarlet macaw

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