BirdsClass Aves

OrnithologistOrnithologist Individuals who study birds.Individuals who study birds.

9,000 Birds worldwide

50% of these birds are foundIn the order Passeriformes

(songbirds)

FeathersFeathers

TypesTypes

ContourContourFeathersFeathers

Flight Flight FeathersFeathers

DownDown FeathersFeathers

Flight FeathersFlight Feathers

Flight FeathersFlight Feathers

Responsible for body shape Responsible for body shape and colorand color

Down feathersDown feathers

4 other types of Feathers4 other types of Feathers

SemiplumesSemiplumesFeathersFeathers

FiloplumesFiloplumesFeathersFeathers

BristleBristleFeathersFeathers

Powder Powder FeathersFeathers

Semiplumes are half-way between a contour feather and a down feather. These occur between the contour feathers and help to supply insulation and a certain amount of form as well

Semiplumes

Filoplumes

Filoplumes and bristles are much smaller. Filoplumes have only a very few barbs at their tips and are believed to have a sensory function, helping birds keep their feathers in order.

Bristles have practically no barbs at all and are stiff. They occur around the eyes and mouths of some birds and are protective in function. They are particularly evident in the honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) for instance, which feeds on the nests and young of social bees and wasps and needs protection around its beak from the stings of the adult bees and wasps.

Bristle FeathersBristle Feathers

Honey BuzzardHoney Buzzard

The fourth main types of feathers are Powder Feathers. These are unusual in that they grow continuously and that they disintegrate at the tip. The barbs breaking down into a fine powder that in Herons at least us useful in mopping up the slime and dust that gets on their fronts during feeding. Thus they help keep the plumage clean. Powder feathers occur scattered throughout the plumage of most birds, but their function is not well understood.

Powder feathersPowder feathers

More on FeathersMore on Feathers

MoltingMolting – The process in which a bird – The process in which a bird replaces it’s feathers. Once or twice a replaces it’s feathers. Once or twice a year.year.

Feathers are made of a protein called Feathers are made of a protein called keratin, dead matter.keratin, dead matter.

Brood patches Brood patches – area on the birds – area on the birds abdomen where the feathers are lost to abdomen where the feathers are lost to incubate eggs.incubate eggs.

Preening Preening – process of cleaning feathers by – process of cleaning feathers by dipping beak into the preening gland filled dipping beak into the preening gland filled with oil at the base of the tail.with oil at the base of the tail.

GoldGold FinchesFinches

FemaleFemale MaleMaleMale Dull - Why?Male Dull - Why?

GrouseGrouse

Birds most brightly colored animals in theBirds most brightly colored animals in theAnimal KingdomAnimal Kingdom

FlightFlight

Large Soaring BirdsLarge Soaring Birds(Vultures and Eagles)(Vultures and Eagles)Long, broad wingsLong, broad wings

Forest BirdsForest Birds(Owls, hawks, songbirds)(Owls, hawks, songbirds)Short, broad wingsShort, broad wings

Fast FliersFast Fliers(flacons and swifts)(flacons and swifts)Long pointed wingsLong pointed wings

Bird BonesBird Bones