Feathers: Form and Function

SummaryThe 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 InterestHairs, feathers and scales have a lot in commonVideo about water repellency in bird feathersVideo of Club-winged Manakin courtship displayLink to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteErrors and ClarificationsError - 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.AttributionsClub-winged Manakin - Recording XC248570 on Xeno CantoClub-winged Manakin - Recording XC248573  on Xeno CantoSupport the show