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The Parts of a Feather
Birds of a Feather
|Only birds grow feathers.
||Most birds molt each summer
|The exposed base
of the shaft is the
calamus, or quill
|Is THIS a contour
or semiplume feather?*
|The downy vanes insulate the bird from cold weather.
||The tapering shaft has a flexible vane on either side.|
|Birds have 6 common types of feathers: contour, semiplume, filoplume, down, power down, and bristle feathers.
||The bird can simply pass its bill through the feather to link the barbules again.
|Tiny hooks zip the soft barbules together to create a smooth surface.
||The tip of the feather is unique for each of the 6 types.
||Feathers help with flight,
camouflage and display.
|*This is a "contour" feather -- an outer, body feather.|
Courtesy of: www.backyardnature.com
For more articles about BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS!
Bird Profiles for Young Natguralists
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina House Wren
White Breasted Nuthatch
For more articles about INSECTS
Lady Bug Invasion
Moths and Nightlights
Bees in the City
Insects are busy little critters
Earth's Most Successful Life Form
Keeping ants in nature