Feather TYPES Lesson with review

REVIEW: Beaks, feet & feathers

Multiple Choice

Ornithology is the study of birds.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Birds do NOT have teeth.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

ALL feathers are used for flight.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Birds preen their feathers to care for them.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Webbed feet are useful for walking.

• True

• False

How does the structure of the feather relate to its function?

• Structures determine its function.

• Let's look at the several types of bird feathers.

Wing feathers

*Specialized for flight

*Uniform windproof surfaces (vanes)

*From the central shaft - interlocking structures (barbules/hooks)

​*Asymmetirc w/a shorter, less flexible leading edge that prevents twisting in mid-air

​

Contour

*Cover most of the bird - what we see

*Streamlining its shape

*Arranged in an overlapping pattern​

​

*Function - waterproofing, sometimes colorful or drab (showoff or camoflauge)

Tail feather

• Arranged as a fan

• Interlocking structures

• Most birds have 6 pairs

• Support precision steering in flight

Semiplume (Plumule)

• Hidden underneath the contour feathers

• No barbules - fluffy insulating structure

• Pictured - semiplume of a turkey

Downy (chick down)

• short, loose structure

• no central shaft

• positioned next to the birds' body for WARMTH

Filoplume

• short, simple with few barbs

• sensitive (like whiskers) to sense the position of the contour feathers

Peacock - filoplume

Female senses the shaking of the males' head during breeding season.

Bristle

• simplest

• stiff central shaft

• found on head- protection for the eyes and face

Multiple Choice

Which feather are best used for insulation?

• wing

• tail

• contour

• downy

Multiple Select

Choose the feather(s) that we typically can see when looking at a bird.

• wing

• tail

• contour

• downy

Open Ended

Compare beaks and feathers. List one similarity and one difference.

Open Ended

Compare the bristle feather and filoplume.

Multiple Choice

Most songbirds have this type of feet because they like to sit on tree branches.

• webbed

• grasping

• perching

Multiple Choice

Bird beaks' structure will help determine the _ of the bird.

• habitat

• diet

• mating

• egg shape

Multiple Choice

Herons and egrets have a _ bill to eat fish.

• hooked

• strainer

• spear

• chisel

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a reason why birds' feathers molt?

• breeding season

• replace worn/damaged feathers

• age of bird

• diet of bird

Multiple Choice

Choose the feather pictured.

• wing

• tail

• contour

• downy