The vibrant red colors on these green-winged macaws come from some one-of-a-kind chemistry.  New research has shown that parrots do not use the same molecules found in other birds and fishes that display bright colors.

Kevin McGraw from Arizona State University and Mary Nogare, a parrot fancier from Snoqualmie, WA, analyzed red feathers from 44 different parrot species.  They found that the red pigment in all cases was comprised of a suite of five molecules, called polyenal lipochromes, which are not found anywhere else in the world.

The unique nature of the parrot's plumage might help explain a mystery about these radiantly adorned creatures. 

"Parrots are unusual among birds, in that they almost without exception display fantastic colors but exhibit very little variation in color within a species - at least in colors visible to us," McGraw said.  "Parrots in general may not be using color in the classic cases of mate choice or competitive ability."

A possible explanation for the uniformity in color comes from a separate study, which found that the pigments in parrots may act as anti-oxidants - molecules that keep cells healthy by removing free radicals.

The findings were published in last week's issue of Biology Letters.

-- LiveScience Staff

Credit: Arizona State University