Public Lecture on the science of feather colors

In September, I was invited to give a public lecture to the Yolo Bird Alliance (formerly the Yolo Audubon Society) about one of my favorite topics: how birds produce their spectacular colors. During the presentation, Feathered Palettes: The Science of Bird Colors, I took audiences behind the science of feather coloration, exploring everything from the pigments responsible for the reds and yellows of species like the Northern Flicker to the remarkable structural mechanisms that create brilliant blues, iridescence, and even pure white feathers.

The talk highlighted how modern imaging techniques and museum collections are revealing new insights into the anatomy, optics, and evolution of bird coloration. I also shared discoveries from my own research, demonstrating how studying feathers across multiple anatomical scales is reshaping our understanding of how color evolves.

It was a wonderful opportunity to share the excitement of ornithological research with the birding community and to discuss how museum-based science continues to uncover new discoveries about the natural world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3JQMAnYjg