What was the colour of the first feathers of ancient birds
Many inquisitive questions come to mind, such as: Were dinosaurs dull grey and brown, or did they have bright, eye-catching coats like modern birds? For a long time, this was left entirely to imagination. However, due to scientific advancements, some of these questions may now have answers. And one among these questions is, what colour were the first feathers?
Scientists are using some of the world's most advanced technology to look deep into fossils to find out tiny clues that remain even after millions of years of decay.
These clues are helping researchers reconstruct the colours and patterns that once adorned the earliest birds and their dinosaur ancestors.
While we often think of fossils as just bones, there's a whole hidden world of chemical and microscopic details locked inside them. Though it is hard to believe, the story of the colours of birds' feathers is among the most interesting of all!
What colour were the first feathers?
Scientists have made exciting progress in discovering what colours feathered dinosaurs and early birds might have had.
It all started with the discovery of melanosomes, tiny pigment structures that can survive in fossils. Their shape often tells about the colour, like the long and sausage-shaped ones usually mean black or grey, while round ones suggest reddish-brown tones.
According to Jakob Vinther, a leading researcher in this field, 'Birds frequently have spectacularly coloured plumage… Understanding these organic remains in fossil feathers also demonstrates that melanin can resist decay for millions of years,' reports wired.com.
In a 2010
study
, researchers used fossil evidence from Anchiornis huxleyi to reconstruct its plumage. They found it had a grey body, black-and-white patterned wings, and a reddish crest, which was similar to the appearance of a bird, more than what was ever imagined. Another early bird, Microraptor, was found to have glossy black, iridescent feathers similar to a crow.
But colour isn't just about melanosomes. Chemical studies, like those using synchrotron particle accelerators, can detect elements such as copper, which is often linked to reddish hues. One
study
on Archaeopteryx revealed that its wing tips were darker, while the trailing feathers were possibly white
Apart from that, scientists have found blue structural colours in fossil feathers.
According to Frane Babarović, 'The top layer is structured in such a way that it refracts light in blue wavelength', as quoted by the Smithsonian magazine. These colours don't come from pigment but from the way feather layers bend light, just like in some modern birds.
Still, not every fossil preserves these clues perfectly. Studies show that heat and pressure during fossilization can distort melanosome shapes. So while reconstructions are incredibly detailed, they come with some uncertainty.
Scientists also use ultraviolet (UV) light to look for hidden details in fossils like feathers, scales, and even muscles that are invisible in normal light. This helps identify the best samples to study with high-tech tools.
However, the studies suggest that the first feathers weren't boring at all. They also had a long range of hues from deep blacks to vibrant reds and even shimmering blues, and the ancient birds and feathered dinosaurs may have been just as colourful as today's peacocks and parrots.
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