What is Feather?
[[File:Types de plumes. - Larousse pour tous, -1907-1910-.jpg|thumb|Feather variations]] [[File:Parts of feather.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This picture shows the parts of a vaned feather.]] [[File:Bittern in River Lee Country Park.JPG|thumb|right|200px|When hiding the [[bittern]] holds its head vertical so its pattern matches the [[Reed (plant)|reeds]] more closely.]] [[File:Pavo cristatus feathers001xx.jpg|thumb|220px|The ''train feathers'' of a [[Blue peafowl|Blue peacock]] are an example of [[Display (zoology)|display]].]] [[File:Lightmatter flamingo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Flamingos]]]] '''Feathers''' are the things which cover [[bird]]s. They help keep birds warm. Feathers also protect them from injury. In most kinds of birds, [[wing]] feathers help them to [[flight|fly]]. These are called flight feathers. Some people have their pet birds clipped. This is a procedure where a vet or a groomer cuts a certain amount of feathers to prevent the bird from flying away or simply for medical reasons. <ref>Prum, Richard O. & Brush A.H. 2002. The evolutionary origin and diversification of feathers. ''The Quarterly Review of Biology''. '''77''' (3): 261–295. [[doi:10.1086/341993]]</ref> == Vaned feathers == The main feathers which cover the outside of a bird are called ''vaned feathers''. Vaned feathers have a stiff center, with soft barbs on the side, which seem like hairs. The center is called a ''[[quill]]''. This type of feather is called '''''pennaceous''''' (= like a [[pen]]). == Down feathers == Young birds have small feathers, called ''down'', which keep them warm, but cannot be used for flying. Down is very soft. Adult birds have down, but also have vaned feathers on top of the down. Down is also used in blankets. Down feathers are just one example of '''''plumaceous''''' feathers (the word means 'fluffy'). Another example is the feathers on flightless birds such as the [[ostrich]]. == Moulting == Birds lose their feathers at certain times. This is called ''[[moulting]]''. By moulting, a bird can replace old fe