Category: ornithology

Semiplumes NOT quite a down feather and NOT quite a contour, semiplumes occupy the middle ground between the two. Semiplumes have a rachis that is longer than the longest of the barbs. The Source: Page #15Ornithology #21 Feathers: The Anatomy of a Feather #2

This yellow-rumped warbler has bright patches of yellow on it’s sides. The Source Page #5 Ornithology #5 Bird Anatomy: Body

the vocal cords of the human larynx. Instead, the air is forced through the tubes and sound is created by the walls of the syrinx vibrating. The muscles then change the tension in the syrinx to modify and tune the sound. Some species, especially the passerines, can make sounds from either or both of the…

Ornithology is not just about looking at birds and knowing what kind they are. It’s also about studying them and trying to understand them better. So let’s find out what’s going on under those feathers!In this lesson we’re going to study the skeletal system of birds. The Source: Page #1 Ornithology #8 Skeletal System Part…

Sometimes, if a bird has struck a pane of glass in flight, it will leave behind a print of this powder on the glass. Powder down feathers do not moult. Birds that do not have a preen gland often have a lot of powder down feathers instead. Powder down is found on herons and bitterns,…

#2. Plumulaceous feathers are the soft down that keeps babies warm and insulates adults, often as an underlayer. We will learn more about these in the next lesson. The Souse Ornithology #20 Feathers: The Anatomy of a Feather #1 Page #9

#1. Pennaceous feathers have a hollow central stalk or quill, called a calamus.These feathers are stiff. The Source: Page #8Ornithology #20 Feathers: The Anatomy of a Feather #1

Different types of feathers have different arrangements of these branches, to allow the feather to perform different jobs. There are two main types of feathers The Source: Page #8 Ornithology #20 Feathers: The Anatomy of a Feather #1

Primary feathers are the longest feathers on the wing and are connected to the bones in the hand via the skin. Each feather can be rotated individually—this gives the bird control over the direction of flight, lift and air resistance. Birds have up to around 16 primary feathers, although many have fewer. The Source: Page…

Body Down Down is useful stuff, as it is warm but light. Because the structure of the feather is loose and fluffy, it holds air well. Adult birds keep some down feathers, lying beneath the contour feathers on the body. This helps keep bird’s warm, doesn’t weigh them down, and helps keep water bird’s buoyant.…