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8 Cards in this Set

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What is the structure of a feather?


  • Stiff central shaft with two vanes either side.
  • Typical asymmetric in outer wing and tail feathers.
  • Allows manoeuvring in flight.
  • Barbless (Calamus)
  • Vanes attach to solid Rachis.
  • Vanes made up of barbs.
  • Barbs hold parallel barbules with tiny hooklets at end like velcro.

What types of feathers are there?


  • Contour features - form outer 'shell', streamline, shape and insulate the bird, each has a specialised muscle which allows some movement (fluffing up).
  • Tail feathers - Retrices.
  • Wing flight feathers - Remiges, differ from other feathers as they attach via ligaments directly to bones.
  • Primaries (9-12), secondaries provide lift (8-32), more in species which soar.
  • Converts provide shape, protection and colour.

Case Study: Owl Feathers.
Two specializations -


  • Soft fringe on margin of outer vane on the first 2/3 of primaires.
  • Inner vane of all remiges and some retrices downy.
  • Down feathers - lack of rachis (soft), lightweight and add insulation, used to line nests.

How do birds care for feathers?


  • Feathers are dead structures, so birds have to maintain them.
  • They are essential for flight, insulation and keeping dry.
  • Removal of parasites.
  • Birds preen their feathers.

What is preening?


  • Bird fluffs feathers in area being preened.
  • Bird grasps feathers near base and then nibbles towards tip.
  • Removes stale oil and dirt.
  • Draws feather through bill, smoothing bards.
  • Removes parasites.
  • Allopreening in social species.

Why do birds have oil glands?


  • Uropygial Gland.
  • Located on the rump above retrices.
  • Produces diester waxes.
  • Has anti-parasitic benefits and conditions feathers.
  • Species without oil glands tend to use other behaviours including dust bathing and sunning.

Why do birds moult?


  • Feathers cannot be repaired and become brittle, faded and frayed with use.
  • Birds must replace worn feathers through moulting either partially or fully.
  • New feathers push out old feathers.

What determines the timing of moulting?


  • Costly and risky, birds can lose the ability to flight during moulting.
  • Annual moult - starlings.
  • Biannual moult - desert larks.
  • Winter and summer plumage.