Feathers: Form and Function
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Summary
The feather is one of the most iconic symbols of nature. Feathers are indispensable to birds, serving many critically important functions.\\xa0
In this episode, we explore those functions after looking closely at the anatomy\\u2014the structure\\u2014of 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 \\u2018historic,\\u2019 when I should have said \\u2018historical.\\u2019
- Error - At 06:13, I goofed on the word \\u2018stratum,\\u2019 saying \\u2018strateum\\u2019 by accident.
Attributions
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248570 on Xeno Canto
- Club-winged Manakin - Recording XC248573\\xa0 on Xeno Canto