The study investigates the structural absorption of light in the feathers of five species of birds of paradise, which produce extremely low-reflectance, super black plumages. Using spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution synchrotron tomography (nano-CT), and ray-tracing simulations, the researchers found that these feathers have titled arrays of highly modified barbules that cause multiple scattering of light, leading to increased structural absorption. The directional reflectance of these feathers is extremely low (0.05–0.31%), comparable to that of man-made ultra-absorbent materials. The modified barbule morphology of super black feathers is distinct from normal black feathers and is hypothesized to enhance the perceived brilliance of adjacent color patches during courtship displays through a sensory bias. The findings expand the diversity of structurally absorbing biological materials and highlight the importance of structural absorption in determining the visual appearance of organisms.The study investigates the structural absorption of light in the feathers of five species of birds of paradise, which produce extremely low-reflectance, super black plumages. Using spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution synchrotron tomography (nano-CT), and ray-tracing simulations, the researchers found that these feathers have titled arrays of highly modified barbules that cause multiple scattering of light, leading to increased structural absorption. The directional reflectance of these feathers is extremely low (0.05–0.31%), comparable to that of man-made ultra-absorbent materials. The modified barbule morphology of super black feathers is distinct from normal black feathers and is hypothesized to enhance the perceived brilliance of adjacent color patches during courtship displays through a sensory bias. The findings expand the diversity of structurally absorbing biological materials and highlight the importance of structural absorption in determining the visual appearance of organisms.