TRIVIA BITS … BIRD FEATHERS

TRIVIA BITS …

BIRD FEATHERS

Bird feathers are made mainly of beta keratin, which is also found in human hair and nails. Feathers have a central shaft (rachis). On each side of the shaft, hooks called barbs lock together like a zipper to make a flat part called the vane.

Tiny hummingbirds have fewer than 1,000 feathers while swans have more than 25,000.

 

Birds have three different types of feathers: contour feathers cover the body, flight feathers make a smooth wing surface, and down feathers keep the bird warm. Feathers are unique to birds.