Ordinary grey bird feathers placed under X-ray fluorescence reveal beautiful patterns of elements like zinc, telling a story of feather growth and the environments the birds have experienced.

To explore pattern formation in more detail, the researchers studied the feathers of barred or spotted chicken breeds such as silver laced wyandottes, which have a white spot and black 'laced' edge.

Initially, the researchers administered estrogen (E2) capsules to male chickens, which induced the formation of female-type feathers in E2-treated males, with the distinct presence of barbules.

Astrophotographer snaps his 'clearest ever photo of the SUN', revealing swirls and feather-type patterns on the solar surface Photographer Andrew McCarthy layered 150,000 individual pictures of ...

To explore pattern formation in more detail, the researchers studied the feathers of barred or spotted chicken breeds such as silver laced wyandottes, which have a white spot and black 'laced' edge.