Eumelanin (melanin) is one of the most common pigmentation molecules in bird feathers ranging from pale yellow to black coloring. Its role is vast and essential in protection and functionality of avian feathers. Melanin provides many protective benefits, including thermoregulation by up-taking radiant energy to keep birds warm during the colder seasons, protection against mechanical damage due to the hardiness of melanin, and protection against UV radiation. The concentration of melanin in bird feathers may differ between male and females however, giving rise to speculation on whether or not these protective qualities are greater or lessened between the sexes. In this study, melanin was extracted and quantified from male and female Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) feathers to determine whether or not here were significant differences in concentration between the sexes. Along with quantifying the amount of melanin pigment in the feathers, this project also focused on a method development for the extraction of melanin as well. Based on trial and error of previous methods which also extracted melanin from bird feathers, an appropriate extraction method was determined that yielded consistent results and exhibited a successful extraction of melanin from Gray Catbird feathers.

Melanin extraction and concentration analysis from Dumetella carolinensis feathers

256th National Meeting (2018)

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