[removed]

[removed]

Many feathers' colors come from their structure, rather than the more common route of molecules like melanin. These molecules break down, like when chlorophyll disappears from leaves in autumn. The microscopic ridges that structurally select for reflected light of a certain range of wavelengths may be more resilient. Apparently Lexus spent 15 years developing a paint that uses the same method, called Structural Blue, that shouldn't fade in the sun.

Feathers are not alive, they are nonliving keratin structures, like hair. Because of this, they have to keep their color when not alive in order to continue to function...a bird with feathers that faded in color would rapidly fade in color itself. As a result of this, birds need to use stable pigments and structural colors to maintain their color during the ordinary course of living. And what works when the feather is still attached to the bird works just as well when it has come off, because to the feather itself, it's all the same.

Fascinating.. I'd say you went above and beyond answering this one. The bit about Lexus is an interesting detail.

I really appreciate the thorough answer; reddit is awesome for these sort of questions and redditors such as yourself who take the time to teach are a gift.

Thank you!

This raises another question then; how do feathers and hair grow since they're not living? Obviously they carry DNA.. so I'm assuming at some point during their growth they die off and carry the genetic sequence or something?

They are both formed by skin cells laying down protein in precise patterns. The dna comes from the living cells at the root of the hair. For feathers, i suspect it similarly comes from cells or the remains of cells at the root and/or pulp of the feather