Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Preparation of Keratin Hydrolysate from Chicken Feathers and Its Application in Cosmetics
Published on: November 27, 2017
Magnificent magpie colours by feathers with layers of hollow melanosomes
Doekele G Stavenga1, Hein L Leertouwer2, Bodo D Wilts3
1Computational Physics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, NL-9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands D.G.Stavenga@rug.nl.
Abstract:
The blue secondary and purple-to-green tail feathers of magpies are structurally coloured owing to stacks of hollow, air-containing melanosomes embedded in the keratin matrix of the barbules. We investigated the spectral and spatial reflection characteristics of the feathers by applying (micro)spectrophotometry and imaging scatterometry. To interpret the spectral data, we performed optical modelling, applying the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method as well as an effective media approach, treating the melanosome stacks as multi-layers with effective refractive indices dependent on the component media. The differently coloured magpie feathers are realised by adjusting the melanosome size, with the diameter of the melanosomes as well as their hollowness being the most sensitive parameters that influence the appearance of the feathers.
Related Concept Videos
Thin-Walled Hollow Shafts
Layers of the Epidermis
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...
Thematic Layering in GIS
Layers of the Heart Wall
The myocardium, the thickest layer, consists of cardiac muscle cells interconnected by intercalated discs and crisscrossing connective tissue fibers. These muscle fibers contract...
Boundary Layer Characteristics
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC): Overview
To begin the analysis, a mixture of compounds is spotted on the starting line on the TLC plate using a thin capillary. The bottom of the...

