Feathers: Form and Function
Summary
The feather is one of the most iconic symbols of nature. Feathers are indispensable to birds, serving many critically important functions.
In this episode, we explore those functions after looking closely at the anatomy—the structure—of a feather.
We discuss the 6 types of feathers: contour feathers, flight feathers, down, semiplumes, bristles, and filoplumes.
Some functions we explore are flight, insulation, and camouflage.
Links of Interest
- Hairs, feathers and scales have a lot in common
- Video about water repellency in bird feathers
- Video of Club-winged Manakin courtship display
Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website
Errors and Clarifications
- Error - At 00:44, I used the word ‘historic,’ when I should have said ‘historical.’
- Error - At 06:13, I goofed on the word ‘stratum,’ saying ‘strateum’ by accident.
Attributions
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248570 on Xeno Canto
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248573 on Xeno Canto
More description
Summary
The feather is one of the most iconic symbols of nature. Feathers are indispensable to birds, serving many critically important functions.
In this episode, we explore those functions after looking closely at the anatomy—the structure—of a feather.
We discuss the 6 types of feathers: contour feathers, flight feathers, down, semiplumes, bristles, and filoplumes.
Some functions we explore are flight, insulation, and camouflage.
Links of Interest
- Hairs, feathers and scales have a lot in common
- Video about water repellency in bird feathers
- Video of Club-winged Manakin courtship display
Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website
Errors and Clarifications
- Error - At 00:44, I used the word ‘historic,’ when I should have said ‘historical.’
- Error - At 06:13, I goofed on the word ‘stratum,’ saying ‘strateum’ by accident.
Attributions
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248570 on Xeno Canto
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248573 on Xeno Canto
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