What would happen if birds did not have body feathers? Have you ever heard the old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together”? But what if it’s bird skin? Will they get together… No, that doesn’t sound right! We guess it’s a good thing birds have feathers.
Birds think so too. Their feathers are unique. You could say they are one of the bird’s defining characteristics. If it has wings, it is a bird. If it is a bird, it has wings. And those wings aren’t just for show! Scientists and bird lovers alike can tell you that feathers are very important.
Feathers allow birds to do one of their favorite things: fly. Without their aeronautically designed wings, birds would be roaming the earth like the rest of us!
However, even flightless birds need their wings. For example, penguins rely on their feathers to keep them warm and dry in cold weather. Birds are warm-blooded creatures. This means their bodies maintain a healthy temperature to keep them alive. As insulators, feathers help with this. Thus they are like the clothes of birds.
However, birds are not known to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Still, a bird’s color can affect its ability to find a mate. In many species, male and female birds have different colors. This helps them tell each other apart. Brightly colored birds can also find mates more easily.
Some birds use their color to attract other birds. But other feathers help make birds invisible… at least to predators. Thus, feathers can act as camouflage. For example, the winter plumage of the Willow Ptarmigan is pure white. This helps the bird to blend in with its snowy surroundings.
What would happen if birds did not have body feathers
How do birds get wings? Scientists believe they may have evolved from scales like you’d find on a reptile. This theory is supported by the fact that some birds still have scales on their lower legs and feet. As wings developed, they took on somewhat different shapes.
The largest feathers of a bird are called contour feathers. These include flight feathers and tail feathers. They give birds their shape and color.
The contour has soft, sharp feathers on the underside of the wings. They provide most of the insulation birds need to stay warm. They are so good at this that humans have used them for many years in down jackets and feather pillows.
Some other feather types found in many birds include semiplumes, phelloplumes, and powder feathers. The sepals are like a cross between the wings of the bottom and the contour. They provide insulation while helping the bird maintain its shape.
Filoplumes are the simplest feathers. These sit below the wings of the contour. They are hair-like and usually hard. They also have receptors that help birds understand what is happening with their contour feathers.
Powder feathers can be found on some birds, such as pigeons and herons. They grow continuously and a fine powder forms on their ends. The function of this powder is not fully understood, but some scientists believe it may help with waterproofing.
Do you have a favorite type of bird? Maybe you like to see flamingos or peacocks. Many birds in the world have very colorful feathers. What about the birds where you live? Try birdwatching next time you’re out and about! You might just find a species you’ve never seen before.
