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Feather is a soft, fringed plume that covers the bodies of birds. Feathers are scientifically defined as the growths or appendages that are formed on the skin of a bird. Feathers can be of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some of them are tiny and downy, while others are large and brilliantly colored. Feathers are used by birds for insulation, body contour forming, flight, and sensory reception. They are a characteristic feature of birds that separates them from other organisms. They are also used by humans for various purposes like making medicines, high-quality bedding, and understanding the evolution of birds.
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Key Terms: Feathers, Beta Keratin Protein, Rachis, Barbs, Evolution of Birds, Flight, Birds, Insulation, Sensory Reception, Plumes
What are Feathers?
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Feathers are a component of the outer covering and flight surfaces of all modern birds. Feathers are unique to birds and have apparently evolved from the scales of birds’ reptilian ancestors.
- Feathers are part of the integumentary system in birds.
- They are made up of a special type of protein known as Beta Keratin Protein.
- Feathers do not cover the skin surface of birds completely.
- Feathers are arranged in symmetrical tracts with areas of bare skin in between.
- There are various types of feathers specialized for insulation, flight, formation of body contours, display, and sensory reception.
- Feathers are used for the flying purpose of birds.
Feathers
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Parts of Feathers
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A typical feather has two main components namely:
- Rachis: It is the central shaft present in the feather.
- Barbs: It refers to a serial paired branch that forms a curved and flattened surface called a vane. It has roots and is connected by hooks that stiffen the vane.
In several birds, either some or all of the feathers do not have the hooks or the barbules, and the plumage has a hairlike and loose appearance.
Parts of Feathers
Structure of Feathers
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Feathers are characterized by the most complex integumentary appendages. It is mainly found in vertebrates.
- Feathers are formed in the tiny follicles of birds.
- They contain keratin proteins in the outer skin layer known as the epidermis.
- Structurally, the Beta Keratin Protein that is present in the feathers of birds is a protein composed of protein strands.
- These protein strands are hydrogen-bonded into the beta-pleated sheets.
- They are a lot stronger than the keratins present in mammalian horns and hooves.
Read More: Difference Between Homologous and Analogous Structures
Types of Feathers
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Feathers are divided into various types on the basis of their morphology. Some of the well-known types of feathers are as follows:
Flight Feathers
- Flight feathers are present on the tails and the wings of birds.
- As the name itself suggests, these feathers are mainly used by birds during their flights.
- The size of flight feathers is usually large.
Contour Feathers
- Contour Feathers are known as the exterior feathers of a bird.
- These feathers contribute to the shape and color of the actual feathers of the birds.
- The upper part of the contour feathers is waterproof.
- It is made of barbs that form a stiff vane, the flat surface of the feather.
- The lower part of the contour feather helps in the process of thermoregulation.
Down Feathers
- Down feathers of the birds are very soft due to the absence of interlocking barbules of pennaceous feathers.
- This makes them very soft and fluffy.
- These feathers are located under the sturdier exterior feathers.
- Chicks of hens and young birds are covered by these types of feathers on hatching.
- There are mainly three types of down feathers namely natal down, powder down, and body down feathers.
Types of Feathers
Read More: Scientific Name and Classification of Albatross
Bristles Feathers
- Bristle feathers are a special type of feather found around the neck, head, eyelids, and mouth.
- The speed and direction of the air are understood by the birds due to the presence of these feathers.
- These also perform the best function of the eyelids by safeguarding the bird's eyes from dust and insects.
Semiplume Feathers
- Semiplume feathers are the cross between the contour feather and the down feather.
- Interlocking in barbs is not present in these types of feathers.
- The main function of this feather is to provide the birds with insulation.
Filoplume Feathers
- Filoplume Feathers look like paint brushes.
- They are the smallest type of feathers.
- The exact function of this feather is not known yet and they are being researched.
Functions of Feathers
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Feathers are one of the most important parts present in the body of the bird. Some of the most important functions of feathers are as follows:
- Visual Communication: Birds are able to communicate with each other with the help of their feathers.
- Flight: The main function of the feathers in the bird is Flying. It helps birds in all types of flights.
- Protection: The feathers protect the birds from various types of problems like fluctuating and the poor conditions of the environment.
- Insulation: Insulation is also one of the most important functions of feathers. It protects the birds from the cold and water.
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Usage of Feathers
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Feathers are used for various purposes in birds. Some of the well-known uses of feathers are as follows:
- Feathers are used in various societies for Ornamentation and regalia.
- Accouterments like hats are decorated or totally constructed using Feathers.
- Feathers of various colorful species of birds are protected by the governments to prevent the extinction of such feathers by the hands of feather hunters.
- Feathers from domestic fowl slaughtered for meat are given to poultry farmers as a by-product used for padding, decoration, and insulation.
- Due to the soft and heat-trapping properties of the feathers, they are used in building high-class bedding, especially blankets, mattresses, and pillows.
- Feathers are also used as filling for outdoor bedding and winter clothing, such as sleeping bags and quilted coats.
- Feathers are also used in the religion and the spiritual culture of humans.
- Feathers of birds are also used for making traditional medicines for coughs, snakebites, and even infertility.
- Feathers of the birds help humans in knowing about their evolution.
Things to Remember
- Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering on birds.
- Feathers are made up of the Beta Keratin Protein.
- Rachis and Barbs are the two components of feathers.
- Feathers are considered to be evolved from the scales of the reptilian ancestors of birds.
- Functions of feathers include protection, insulation, flight, and visual communication.
- There are six types of feathers namely Down Feathers, Contour Feathers, Filoplumes, Bristles, Flight Feathers, and Semiplume Feathers.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the function of feathers in birds? (3 Marks)
Ans. Feathers perform numerous functions for birds. The presence of feathers makes a bird different from all other animals. Feathers protect the body of a bird from external harm. The primary function of feathers is flight, i.e, they help the birds to fly in the air. Birds fluff up their feathers to entrap more air in cold weather. This layer of air insulates their body from cold air. In hot weather, birds compress their feathers to eliminate the heat-trapping pockets of air.
Ques. What are birds? (3 Marks)
Ans. Birds are warm-blooded animals with feathers. They lay eggs and stay upright on two feet, which have claws. Birds have a beak and do not have teeth. Birds are different from other living organisms as they have a special feature called feathers. No other animal groups have feathers on their body. The main features of the birds are that they are feathered, lightweight, and have small classic structures and wing plans. They gradually merged over millions of years and led to the formation of birds.
Ques. What are feathers? (2 Marks)
Ans. Feathers are soft, fringed plumes that cover the bodies of birds. They are the main characteristic that separates birds from all other animals. They are the growths or appendages that form on a bird's skin. Some feathers are tiny and downy, whereas other feathers are large and brilliantly colored.
Ques. How is the evolution of the birds tracked? (3 Marks)
Ans. The evolution of the birds is tracked with the help of their feathers. Birds are evolving from the time of the Jurassic period to the Mesozoic era and it is still continuing. It occurs at a very slow pace to be seen by humans. But, the evaluation of the feathers of the birds helps humans in knowing about their evolution also. According to some records, the first bird evolved 60 million years ago after the end of the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era.
Ques. What are the various parts of the feathers of the birds? (2 Marks)
Ans. The various parts of the feathers of the birds are Rachis, vane, afterfeather, barbs, downy barbs, and the hollow shaft. Barbules and Hooklets are also well-known tiny parts of the feathers of birds.
Ques. What are the various types of feathers? (2 Marks)
Ans. The various types of feathers are as follows:
- Wing Feathers
- Tail Feathers
- Contour Feathers
- Semiplume Feathers
- Down Feathers
- Filoplume Feathers
- Bristle Feathers
Ques. What are the various uses of feathers for birds? (2 Marks)
Ans. Birds use feathers for the following uses:
- Visual Communication
- Flight
- Protection
- Insulation
Ques. What are the various uses of feathers for Humans? (3 Marks)
Ans. Humans use the feathers for the following purposes:
- Making Medicines for coughs, infertility, etc.
- Making high-class bedding like pillows and blankets.
- Understanding the evolution of the birds.
Ques. When did the first bird evolve? (1 Mark)
Ans. The first bird of the world evolved 60 million years ago after the end of the Cretaceous Period in the Mesozoic era.
Ques. What are the characteristics of bird evolution? (2 Marks)
Ans. Some of the well-known characteristics of the birds’ evolution are as follows:
- Hollow Bone
- Wishbone
- Three-toed Foot
- Backward-pointing Pelvis
Ques. What is the name of the first bird in the world? (2 Marks)
Ans. The name of the first bird of this world is Archaeopteryx. This organism is the intermediate between both reptiles and birds. But, according to some ancient reports, it is considered the first bird which came into existence 150 million years ago.
Ques. How are the feathers related to the religion and the culture of humans? (3 Marks)
Ans. The feathers of the birds are deeply related to the culture and the religion of humans. The feathers of the Eagle birds contain great spiritual and cultural value to the various American Indian families in the United States and First Nations people as religious objects in Canada. Similarly, the feathers of hawks and eagles are used In the US for religious purposes. It is governed by the eagle feather law, which is a federal law limiting the possession of eagle feathers to enrolled and certified members of federally recognized Native American tribes.
Ques. How do feathers help birds to stay warm? (3 Marks)
Ans. Downy feathers along with semiplume feathers are able to trap pockets of air close to the body of the bird to help keep it warm. The amount of body heat a bird keeps can be adjusted by arranging its feathers to trap more or less air. If a bird is fluffing its feathers in the cold, it means that it is a way of adding extra air to trap body heat and stay warmer.
Ques. How do feathers protect birds from changes in weather? (3 Marks)
Ans. The strong and ridged contour feathers protect the birds from the wind. These feathers are built from the tough material beta-keratin, which is water and wear-resistant. Darker-colored feathers also provide protection from the sun and its radiation. Feathers also help to keep water out, keeping birds dry in the rain. The interlocking feather barbs and a special coating that is either oily or waxy create a shield that makes water run off from the body surface of the birds.
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