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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Avian Biology

Microstructure determines the difference between the mechanical properties of melanized and non‐melanized domestic pigeon feathers

  • Rongjie Cheng1
  • Esther Appel1
  • Eberhard Haase1
  • Stanislav Gorb1
  • Chuchu Li1
  1. 1Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University Kiel Germany
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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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{cheng2026microstructure,
  title = {{Microstructure determines the difference between the mechanical properties of melanized and non‐melanized domestic pigeon feathers}},
  author = {Rongjie Cheng and Esther Appel and Eberhard Haase and Stanislav Gorb and Chuchu Li},
  journal = {Journal of Avian Biology},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1002/jav.03716},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/jav.03716},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Microstructure determines the difference between the mechanical properties of melanized and non‐melanized domestic pigeon feathers
AU  - Rongjie Cheng
AU  - Esther Appel
AU  - Eberhard Haase
AU  - Stanislav Gorb
AU  - Chuchu Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Journal of Avian Biology
DO  - 10.1002/jav.03716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/jav.03716
AB  - 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.
SN  - 1600-048X
SN  - 0908-8857
ER  -