Colorful Birds Feel Chernobyl Damage More
Antioxidants make for brightly colored plumage in some bird species. But it appears around Chernobyl that duller birds are at an advantage, because they can use the antioxidants to detox. Karen Hopkin reports.
SUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
In 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant blanketed the surrounding area with radioactive fallout. Now scientists who’ve been tracking that disaster’s toll have added a new victim to their list: birds that live near the reactor.
The interesting thing is: not ALL the birds near Chernobyl have been decimated by radioactivity. Only those that are brightly colored, migrate long distances, or lay big eggs—all of which require antioxidant molecules.
The researchers examined birds from 57 species. They found that those with brighter plumage…such as orioles and blue tits…were harder hit by radiation than their drab neighbors…such as coal tits and chaffinches. The same was true for birds that tend to travel or like to lay large eggs.
That pattern suggests that antioxidant molecules play an important role in how birds handle radioactivity. Because antioxidants can protect animals against nasty chemicals like those that spilled from the damaged reactor. But brightly colored birds use up their antioxidants producing those flashy red, yellow and orange pigments. So the Chernobyl meltdown made being bright a bust for birds. While being dull is the thing to do.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
