Microstructure determines the difference between the mechanical properties of melanized and non‐melanized domestic pigeon feathers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Melanins are natural pigments widely found in various structures of organisms and are responsible for avian feather coloration, contributing to signaling and camouflage. It has also been suggested that they maintain and enhance the mechanical properties of keratinized structures, such as reducing feather wear. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, wear, cross‐sectional area, breaking force, stress, strain, and tensile modulus of melanized and non‐melanized feathers are experimentally quantified to assess how melanization‐associated structural differences influence the mechanical performance of primary feathers of the pigeon Columba livia domestica . Bleaching treatment was applied to both melanized and non‐melanized feathers to further investigate the role of melanin in feather mechanical performance. The results show that melanized feathers/barbs exhibit significantly greater resistance to wear and higher breaking force than non‐melanized ones, while no significant differences occur in breaking stress, strain, or tensile modulus regardless of bleaching treatment. These findings suggest that geometrical properties, particularly the cross‐sectional area, rather than melanin itself, predominantly affect feather mechanical performance. This study improves understanding of the relationship between feather structure, melanization, and corresponding mechanical properties and provides insights for the biomimetic development of lightweight, feather‐inspired structures for aerospace applications.
Source: Journal of Avian Biology
DOI: 10.1002/jav.03716
Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,860
OpenAlex ID: W7220706195