Evaluating Color and Fading of Red-Shafted Flicker (<i>Colaptes auratus cafer</i>) Feathers: Technical and Cultural Considerations

Pearlstein, Ellen; Keene, Lionel

doi:10.1179/sic.2010.55.2.81

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…An important aspect in the appreciation and comprehension of California featherwork lies in knowledge of the species used. Current scientific work indicates that feather colors derive from a number of possible sources that respond differently to museum display lighting (Pearlstein and Keene ; Riedler et al n.d.), arguing for a more robust identification of feathers to guide care practices. Many museum objects lack such identification; however, more recently, museums have consulted with ornithologists, anthropologists, and Native Americans in California to identify feather types.…”

Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another valuable bird is the red‐shafted subspecies of the northern flicker, highly regarded in part for the brilliant salmon‐colored shafts on their wing and tail feathers. Contemporary regalia makers refer to red‐shafted flickers as “hammers” or “yellow hammers” even if the feathers are red–orange in color (Pearlstein and Keene ). Flicker headdresses are made by stripping the barbs from the shafts and sewing the shafts together in a long band, which is made and worn by tribes in Northern, Central, and Southern California (Bates and Bibby :63; see Figure ).…”

Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yellow‐shafted flickers are much rarer in California, and among the Maidu, the inclusion of these feathers in flicker bands was considered a sign of good luck (Bates and Bibby :63). Yellow shafts are also used to create patterns in contrast with red shafts, and contemporary regalia makers value yellow feathers as meaningful emblems of the feathers' source location (Pearlstein and Keene ).…”

Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the materials collected by museums from Native Americans in California in the 19th and 20th centuries, featherwork is perhaps second only to basketry as a significant form of cultural representation (Pearlstein and Keene ). Feathers have been used by tribes throughout the state, most notably to make ceremonial regalia and feathered baskets.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent scientific research into the properties of feathers used in California has focused on the colorant sources and the fading behavior of feathers to provide museums with more appropriate exhibit lighting guidelines (Pearlstein and Keene ; Riedler et al n.d.). To understand the condition of naturally pigmented, i.e., not dyed, feathers on an object, it is essential to identify feathers and corresponding colorant sources, as well as preacquisition use and care practices.…”

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confidence: 99%

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California Featherwork: Considerations for Examination and Preservation

Gleeson

Pearlstein

Marshall³

et al. 2012

Museum Anthropology

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Birds, and by extension, feathers, hold a central role in California's Native American cultures. Feathers are utilized in a variety of ways and are selected based on the cultural significance and availability of the birds, aesthetics, tribal preferences and tradition, and intended use. Featherworking is a cumulative process, and some items are augmented and repaired during their lifetime. Feathers are increasingly understood as complex materials, and although items of featherwork contain significant evidence that provides information on tribal values, use, cultural adaptations, and condition changes occurring since collection, few resources exist to assist museums in interpreting this information. Therefore, research was undertaken to document the cultural contexts of California feathered regalia and baskets and to start linking this information with scientific knowledge and collecting practices to ultimately enable better interpretation and preservation of California featherwork in museum collections. [Native America, California, feathers, baskets, regalia, preservation, birds]

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Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Feathers and Decision Making Among Native Americans In Califmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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California Featherwork: Considerations for Examination and Preservation

Gleeson

Pearlstein

Marshall³

et al. 2012

Museum Anthropology

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The color of greater flamingo feathers fades when no cosmetics are applied

Chiale

Rendón

Labaude

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Greater flamingos use cosmetic coloration by spreading uropygial secretions pigmented with carotenoids over their feathers, which makes the plumage redder.Because flamingos inhabit open environments that receive direct solar radiation during daytime, and carotenoids bleach when exposed to solar radiation, we expected that the plumage color would fade if there is no maintenance for cosmetic purposes.Here, we show that the concentrations of pigments inside feathers and on the surface of feathers were correlated, as well as that there was a correlation between the concentrations of pigments in the uropygial secretions and on the surface of feathers. There was fading in color (becoming less red) in feathers that received direct solar radiation when there was no plumage maintenance, but not so in others maintained in darkness. When we controlled for the initial color of feathers, the feathers of those individuals with higher concentration of pigments on the feather surfaces were those that lost less coloration after experimental exposure of feathers to sunny conditions. These results indicate that exposure to sunlight is correlated with the fading of feather color, which suggests that individuals need to regularly apply makeup to be more colorful. These results also reinforce the view that these birds use cosmetic coloration as a signal amplifier of plumage color. This may be important in species using highly variable habitats, such as wetlands, since the conditions experienced when molting may differ from those when the signal should be functional, usually months after molting.

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