How bird eggs get their bling
Saturday, December 13, 2014 - 17:00
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Splashy blue and green hues pop from under the glassy finish of the Tinamou species’ (bird relatives of ostriches, rheas and emus) eggs. Pigments covered by a thin, smooth cuticle reveal the mystery behind these curious shells, researchers discovered. The finding could lead to the development of glossy new coatings for ceramics and floors, potentially enhancing their aesthetic qualities and durability.