Where does the splendor of bird feathers come from? Why are there different types of feathers and why do some birds change their plumage with the seasons? We would like to answer these and other exciting questions for you here.
The plumage of birds is a unique feature in the animal kingdom. Feathers allow birds to fly, they keep them warm and dry, and they also send visual signals to conspecifics and other animals. Many bird species are characterized by magnificent, colorful plumage, which not only impresses potential partners, but also inspires us humans. You can find out what this splendor is all about, why birds have different feathers and why some birds are colored differently at different times of the year in our large information article.
Feathers of Birds: Properties
Feathers are made of keratin, just like the hair on our heads, the fur of a lion, the scales of a crocodile or the spines of a hedgehog. They are characterized by an elongated, solid quill, from which fine branches emanate, which interlock to form the soft but dimensionally stable plume. The magnificent and often shimmering color impression of the feathers is created by the incorporation of pigments and a special surface structure.
Types of feathers
A basic distinction is made between two types of feathers: the underfeathers, also called down or dunes, and the contour feathers. Down has only a short quill and usually unattached feather branches, which does not create a real plume, but a tangled, soft tuft of feathers. The down forms the undergarment of birds and protects them from the cold. Contour springs, on the other hand, are further subdivided and have different functions depending on the spring type:
- Coverts cover the bird's body and protect the fine down from moisture and dirt.
- Flying feathers form the airfoils of the wings and enable flight.
- Feathers make up the tail of the birds and allow that tooFlying and in-flight controls.
Determine feathers
In order to be able to identify feathers reliably, a reference work is usually essential. Because only a few feathers are so characteristic that they can be assigned directly to a bird species on the basis of special patterns or colors. For example, if one finds a blue-patterned wing-covert of a jay, identification is still easy. However, if you find an inconspicuous belly feather of the same bird, it becomes more difficult.
At Featherbase, for example, you can view pictures of the different types of feathers from pretty much every native bird species and use them to identify feathers you have found yourself.
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When moulting, old feathers are shed and replaced with new ones. This is important because springs wear out over time and can then no longer fulfill their respective function. Many birds molt once a year and do not change their plumage - it looks the same as before and is only renewed. Individual parts of the plumage can be renewed at once (Partial Moult) or the entire plumage can be changed (Full Moult). With the full moult, all feathers are changed regularly and the plumage remains in good condition overall. The disadvantage of the full moult, however, is that the ability to fly is severely restricted due to the simultaneous lack of many feathers and the birds are very vulnerable at this time. This form of moulting occurs, for example, in ducks.
Some birds molt twice a year and change between two different plumages: The pregnant plumage or brood plumage is created in the spring and is tasked with attracting a mate and intimidating potential rivals during the breeding season.
It is therefore often more conspicuous and colorful than the plain dress, which is worn in winter and camouflages the birds better in their habitat.
Another type of moult is the youth moult. This usually takes place after the first winter and marks the entry of young birds into adulthood. Most young birds form namelyfirst a juvenile plumage, which sometimes differs greatly from the plumage of their parents. Only after the juvenile moult do these young birds show the specific plumage characteristics of their species.
Young birds can therefore be easily recognized by their different and often somewhat "unfinished" looking plumage. However, the little ones are not always as helpless as they appear. Find out what to do when you find a baby bird in our special article.