Nat Commun January 2018 PMID 29317637

Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers.

Dakota E McCoy, Teresa Feo, Todd Alan Harvey, Richard O Prum

Mentions

126
Peak: 1 in Feb 2020
across 6 sources since Feb 2020

Extended reach

85,566
potential audience

Total likes

9

Video views

26

Mentions per month

Feb 2020 – Oct 2023

Where it's discussed

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  • Facebook8 posts
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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions praise the innovative microstructural analysis, exemplified by comments about advanced imaging and light scattering, while some question citation irregularities, indicating curiosity and critical engagement. The tone varies from admiration to skepticism, reflecting the article's technical complexity and broader relevance in biological optics research.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

Most posts recognize the scientific significance of the research but express skepticism or curiosity about citation claims and relevance.

InterestModerate interest

Discussions show moderate interest, especially regarding the novelty and implications of feather microstructures influencing optical properties.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some users delve into methodological details and related work, indicating active engagement with the research content.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversation highlights the article's potential importance in bio-optical systems and bird display evolution, though skepticism about citation metrics tempers perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • This study explores how the unique microstructures on the feathers of five bird of paradise species create a super black appearance by absorbing almost all incident light, making them extremely reflective less than 0.5%.
  • Using advanced imaging and simulations, researchers found that these feathers have specially tilted barbules that increase multiple light scattering and absorption, resulting in their super black look which varies with the viewing angle.
  • The researchers suggest that this super black trait might have evolved to attract mates by making nearby colorful patches appear even more vibrant during courtship displays.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Heaton Moor Park
@heatonmoorpark · X

Birds of the park, and elsewhere: Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers.........https://t.co/RIzt0IKQo6 (Open access) (Images: BHL) https://t.co/QWqHucjzIP

Feb 11, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,687 followers View post →
Tom Sear
@TomSear · X

@profjasonpotts @Rainmaker1973 i prefer graphene carbon nanotubes scratching Vantablack® or @WildlifeMcCoy @DiemutStrebe @SurreyNanoSys https://t.co/MJRJExTfhH

Jan 14, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,656 followers View post →
GMKirwan
@gm_kirwan · X

@wildrainsbrook @JohnGale8 @asianbirder Rick Prum's done a lot of work on this. Not sure anything on bowerbirds yet, but he has looked at some of the black Paradisaeidae (doi 10.1038/s41467-017-02088-w). Xipholena here: https://t.co/P656mEI9qs https://t.co/JS3woihB5e

Dec 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 419 followers View post →
彩恵りり
@Science_Release · X

4ツイート目: Dakota E. McCoy, et. al. (2018) "Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers." Nature Communications volume 9, Article number: 1 (必要な部分のみを切り取り) https://t.co/gBQU4NJrin

Jul 17, 2020 · 1 like · 44,699 followers View post →
Chris Clark
@Selasphorus1 · X

Science twitter! Why does google scholar claim McCoy et al 2018 has been cited >500 times? It's a super-cool paper, BUT, many of the alleged citations are irrelevant, & McCoy et al 2018 isn't cited. Who's gaming g-scholar & why??? https://t.co/4G9ghp761f 1/n @WildlifeMcCoy

Apr 14, 2023 · 1 like · 476 followers View post →
815wrldtrvlr
@815wrldtrvlr · X

Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers | Nature Communications https://t.co/j4jnmBNNLU

Jan 5, 2021 · 36,604 followers View post →

All mentions

Chris Clark
@Selasphorus1 · X

Science twitter! Why does google scholar claim McCoy et al 2018 has been cited >500 times? It's a super-cool paper, BUT, many of the alleged citations are irrelevant, & McCoy et al 2018 isn't cited. Who's gaming g-scholar & why??? https://t.co/4G9ghp761f 1/n @WildlifeMcCoy

Apr 14, 2023 · 1 like · 476 followers View post →
Tom Sear
@TomSear · X

@profjasonpotts @Rainmaker1973 i prefer graphene carbon nanotubes scratching Vantablack® or @WildlifeMcCoy @DiemutStrebe @SurreyNanoSys https://t.co/MJRJExTfhH

Jan 14, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,656 followers View post →
815wrldtrvlr
@815wrldtrvlr · X

Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers | Nature Communications https://t.co/j4jnmBNNLU

Jan 5, 2021 · 36,604 followers View post →
GMKirwan
@gm_kirwan · X

@wildrainsbrook @JohnGale8 @asianbirder Rick Prum's done a lot of work on this. Not sure anything on bowerbirds yet, but he has looked at some of the black Paradisaeidae (doi 10.1038/s41467-017-02088-w). Xipholena here: https://t.co/P656mEI9qs https://t.co/JS3woihB5e

Dec 19, 2020 · 2 likes · 419 followers View post →
彩恵りり
@Science_Release · X

4ツイート目: Dakota E. McCoy, et. al. (2018) "Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers." Nature Communications volume 9, Article number: 1 (必要な部分のみを切り取り) https://t.co/gBQU4NJrin

Jul 17, 2020 · 1 like · 44,699 followers View post →
Heaton Moor Park
@heatonmoorpark · X

Birds of the park, and elsewhere: Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers.........https://t.co/RIzt0IKQo6 (Open access) (Images: BHL) https://t.co/QWqHucjzIP

Feb 11, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,687 followers View post →