Feather Nanostructures (IMAGE) Yale University Caption Prum and Dufresne discovered that the nanostructures that produce some birds' brightly colored plumage, such as the blue feathers of the male Eastern Bluebird, have a sponge-like structure. Credit Photo: Ken Thomas Usage Restrictions With credit. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.