1. Feathers Flashcards
Feather functions
Protection
Eyes, skin and mouth
Feather functions
Flight
Allowing birds to stay airborne
Feather functions
Stealth
Flight feathers for silent flight
Feather functions
Warmth
Insulating feathers
Feather functions
Display
Mating rituals and dominance
Feather functions
Avoiding predation
Camouflage
Feather functions
Walking
Feathers on their feet
Contour
Tight top
Fuzzy bottom
Cover body
Smooth
Overlap
Down
Insulation
Small, fluffy
No racus
Create air pockets
Semiplume
No links
Loose, fluffy
Central racus
Beneath contour feathers
Flight
Wing
Big, no gaps
Air resistant
Off-centre racus
Bristle
No barbs
Around nostrils
Looks like a hair/whisker
Filoplume
Short
Between feathers
Attached to nerve endings
Tail
Big, solid
Air resistant
Steering in flight
Most birds have 12
