Research at Nebraska | 2024-2025 Report

Husker scientist illuminates species’ ability to glow

Nebraska’s Rene Martin normally studies fish. But when she stepped – briefly – into the flamboyant world of birds, she found herself in the global spotlight.

Martin’s research revealed, for the first time, that most birds-of-paradise, already well-known for their colorful plumage and Vegas-worthy courtship dances, also glow.

Her research was featured in dozens of outlets, including The New York Times, the Guardian, Forbes and Smithsonian Magazine.

“Birds-of-paradise are cool anyway. When you combine that with the headline that they glow, it’s a fun topic that a lot of people – whether or not you’re interested in science – find interesting,” said Martin, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources.

Technically, the birds biofluoresce. That is, they absorb high-energy wavelengths of light and, due to a fluorescing molecule, re-emit them at a lower energy, making the colors intensely bright.

During a postdoctoral fellowship at the American Museum of Natural History, Martin examined their bird-of-paradise specimens. She found 37 of 45 known species absorb ultraviolet or blue light and emit a bright green or yellow that is visible to the birds.

Birds-of-paradise are native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Biofluorescence, more common and intense in males, likely evolved to attract mates, Martin said, but may also play a role in establishing hierarchies and communication.

“[The research] shows that you can have this group of very charismatic birds that have been studied quite a lot and can still find new things about them,” she said. “There’s always more to study, especially since we have increasing technologies to look at these things.”

Birds-of-paradise are cool anyway. When you combine that with the headline that they glow, it’s a fun topic that a lot of people – whether or not you’re interested in science – find interesting.
Rene Martin

Despite her sojourn into bird biology, Martin remains committed to fish. She’s researching Nebraska’s invasive carp as well as using a century of native fish specimens stored at the University of Nebraska State Museum to study how changing conditions, such as damming rivers, alters body composition.

Martin still enjoys searching museum collections for biofluorescing birds, an understudied field.

“Although the majority of my studies will be on fish, this will always be a fun, special place in my heart.”

The Royal Society Open Science journal published Martin’s research.