Peacock feathers are actually brown

Peacock feathers are featured in fashion for their beautiful colors and patterns – from earrings to dresses. Their bright blue, green and golds are recognizable nearly everywhere.

However, peacock feathers are actually brown. Have your eyes been deceiving you? Yes, in a way.

You can’t really blame your eyes though. Peacock feathers have structural coloration. They are actually pigmented brown, but their surface is microscopically structured with schemochromes that interfere with visible light.

These structures make the feathers appear as if they have multiple colors and often makes them appear iridescent too.​