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FEATHER definition: 1. one of the many soft, light things that cover a bird's body, consisting of a long, thin, central…. Learn more.
Feathers are among the most complex integumentary appendages found in vertebrates and are formed in tiny follicles in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, that produce keratin proteins.
Feathers are the most characteristic and specialized component of the avian integumentary system, vital for flight, thermoregulation, visual communication, and protection from the elements. There are several types of feathers, and their size, shape, colors, and functions vary tremendously across different species.
Jan 30, 2024 · Development and evolutionary origin of feathers. The Journal of experimental zoology, 285 (4), 291–306. The types of feathers on a bird include the down feathers, contour feathers, flight feathers (both remiges and rectrices), bristles, semiplumes and filoplumes, as well as breeding plumage.
May 22, 2024 · feather, the component structure of the outer covering and flight surfaces of all modern birds. Unique to birds, feathers apparently evolved from the scales of birds’ reptilian ancestors. The many different types of feathers are variously specialized for insulation, flight, formation of body contours, display, and sensory reception.
From the fluffy down on a swan chick to the brilliant spiral on a King Bird-of-Paradise tail, feathers are remarkable not just in the way they look to the naked eye, but also for their intricate microstructure. Understanding feather anatomy at the microscopic level provides insight into how feathers function.
Each feather on a bird’s body is a finely tuned structure that serves an important role in the bird’s activities. Feathers help birds fly, but they also help them show off, blend in, stay warm, and keep dry.
An interactive tutorial from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology learn & teach about feathers & bird science. Diagrams, animations, videos & fun quizzes.
Aug 11, 2009 · Feather Anatomy. The parts of a feather you can see with the unaided eye are the rachis, vane, afterfeather, barbs, downy barbs and the hollow shaft. There are also tiny parts called barbules and hooklets that help hold the barbs together and give the feather its shape.
The typical feather contains a central shaft (called rachis), with the serial paired branches (called barbs) forming a flattened, generally curved surface, called a vane. The barbules, as well as the barbs, have roots, and the barbules of neighbouring barbs are connected by hooks, stiffening the vane.
