Can You Describe The Structure Of Bird Feathers?

A bird may have from 2,000 to 6,000 of them. Each feather is equipped with hundreds of barbs branching out from a hollow shaft, and every barb has hundreds of barbules that branch into many even more minute hooklike barbicels. It is estimated that a single six-inch (15-centimeter) pigeon feather has about 990,000 barbules and millions of barbicels. All of these interlock to provide a most efficient airtight supporting surface that is lightweight, heat retaining and waterproof. The feathers also furnish a greatly increased wing area with very little additional weight.

There are three main types of wing feathers. The largest, the primaries, are around the wing tips and are very important for lateral steering as well as for flapping flight. The primaries in birds of prey change to a smaller width about halfway out. Apparently these birds can rise in the air at a much steeper angle because of this, enabling them to make better use of the natural air currents. The secondary feathers are attached to the lower arms, and the tertials to the upper arm. These types of feathers have their important roles to play in flight.

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