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Birds. Class Aves. Ornithologist. Individuals who study birds. 9,000 Birds worldwide. 50% of these birds are found In the order Passeriformes. (songbirds). Feathers. Flight Feathers. Flight Feathers. Feathers up close. Responsible for body shape and color. Down feathers.
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Birds Class Aves
Ornithologist • Individuals who study birds.
9,000 Birds worldwide 50% of these birds are found In the order Passeriformes (songbirds)
Responsible for body shape and color
Semiplumes 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
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.
Bristle Feathers 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.
Powder feathers 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.
More on Feathers • Molting – The process in which a bird replaces it’s feathers. Once or twice a year. • Feathers are made of a protein called keratin, dead matter. • Brood patches – area on the birds abdomen where the feathers are lost to incubate eggs. • Preening – process of cleaning feathers by dipping beak into the preening gland filled with oil at the base of the tail.
Birds most brightly colored animals in the Animal Kingdom Coloration Grouse Male Dull - Why? Male Female GoldFinches
Flight Large Soaring Birds (Vultures and Eagles) Long, broad wings Forest Birds (Owls, hawks, songbirds) Short, broad wings Fast Fliers (flacons and swifts) Long pointed wings