Birds can see into the UV spectrum, picking up signals that the human eye cannot
Research has shown that birds, specifically American crows, can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, allowing them to perceive signals beyond human capability. This study analyzed the feather coloration of crows and found that while they lack UV-reflective patches, subtle changes in feather hue can indicate age. The findings suggest that these visual cues may play a role in mate selection and social interactions among crows.
- ▪Birds have four types of cone cells in their eyes, allowing them to see further into the UV range than humans.
- ▪The research focused on the feather coloration of American crows, revealing that they do not have UV-reflective patches.
- ▪Subtle changes in feather hue can indicate the age of crows, which may influence their mating success.
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Beyond black: Research explores the feather color of American crows — as seen by crows Birds can see into the UV spectrum, which allows them to pick up on signals that the human eye cannot An American crow sits on a branch. Image Credit: Pixabay. By Jennifer Micale April 24, 2026 share via facebook share via twitter share via linkedin share via email To understand birds — their social relationships, their choices, even their feathers — you need to understand the way they see the world. That can be a challenging task, because birds and humans literally see their environments differently.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Research explores the feather color of American crows — as seen by crows | Binghamton News - Binghamton University.
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