Feathers of birds: types, structural features

Feathers of birds are cutaneous horn formations. They appeared in these organisms in the process of evolution. They act as adaptations for flight.

The structure of the pen

In its structure, two parts are distinguished: a rod, or a trunk, and a fan. The lower thickened part of the rod is called the eye. Inside it is a deadly dried cloth.

The apparel consists of first-order beards that attach to the stem. Also, the structure of the pen provides for the presence of second-order beards, which are attached to the beards of the first order. They are perpendicular to the latter. On them there are special hooks, or cilia, thanks to which all the beards are tightly fastened together.

The barbs consist of two layers. The external is called horny, and the inner one is cerebral. It is built from dried dead cells with the inclusion of air bubbles. The shape of the bird feather and its size can be different, but the principle of its structure is always the same as described above.

How did the feathers appear?

The first animals, who had a similar type of skin, were predatory dinosaurs, sinozouropexes. On the surface of their body was present a fibrous fluff. The first real feathers appeared in caudipteryx and microraptors. The feathers of birds living now have the same structure as the covers of these ancient animals.

Types of feathers

They can be divided into five main groups:

• Covering;
• Flywheels;
• Steering;
• Down;
• Special.

Let's look at them in order.

Coatings

These feathers of birds cover the entire body, giving it a streamlined shape. Depending on the location on the body of the bird, they can be divided into brachial, cervical, parietal, dorsal, tailli, pubic, thoracic, covering feathers of the abdomen, shins, small, medium and large covering feathers of the wing.

The covering feathers are arranged throughout the body of the bird in tile order. They perform protective and heat-saving functions, since the layer that they form, practically does not allow air to pass through.

Flight

These feathers of birds can be divided into two groups:

• First order;
• Second order.

Flight feathers are long and straight. An excellent example of this is the goose feather, which was written in ancient times.

First-order flywheels are attached to the back of the bird's hand. These feathers are the largest. It is they who provide lift and traction during the flight. The number of such feathers is usually 10-15 pieces. Thus, representatives of the family of woodpeckers have 10 first-order feathers, 11-12 for ducklings, and 17 for some grebe-feathers. An example of how a goose quill looks like:

Flapping feathers of the second order are attached to the skin on the ulna. They represent the bearing surface of the wing. They are characterized by a smaller size than first-order feathers.

Their number can also be different. For example, the hummingbirds have only six, but some representatives of the albatross family have 37.

Separately it is necessary to allocate the so-called winglet. This is a set of small feathers that are attached to the first finger. Their number is usually 3-4 pieces, sometimes - 6.

Steering

This is the feathers of the bird's tail. They are like flywheels, but they are more flexible. Also, the tail feathers can be not only straight, but also curved. With their help, the bird changes the direction of the flight, moving the tail in different directions. Such feathers are usually arranged in one slightly curved transverse row.

Downy

This group can be divided into two subgroups: proper down feathers and down. Down feathers have longer rods than down. However, their beards do not adhere to the fan. Pooh has a less developed, soft core. The barbs also do not adhere to the fan.

Both fluff and feathers are designed for thermal insulation. They are under contour. When the chicks just hatch, they only have fluff, the covering feathers grow later.

Specials

To such feathers can be attributed vibrissae decorating, tassels, powder.

Vibrissae are feathers that have lost their beards. They only have a rod. They are located at the beak of a bird and perform a tactile function. Also, small featherless feathers can be found on eyelids and nostrils.

Decorating - a variety of modifications contour feathers. They appear during the mating season.

Tassels are feathers with a long thin stem and grooves, weakly adhered to each other. They are located usually around the excretory duct of the coccygeal gland.

Pudredki - a kind of special feathers, the beard, which only grows, break. As a result, a powder is formed covering the other feathers with a thin layer. It is needed to make them waterproof.

What determines the color?

The feathers of different birds can have a variety of colors. It all depends on the number of specific pigments. Color of feathers is regulated by such substances:

• Carotenoids;
• Porphyrins;
• Melanins.

Pigments of the first group create orange, yellow, red and pink shades. These substances pass into the plumage of the bird from the food that it consumes. If the diet of the animal is not sufficient products with the content of crotonoid, then its plumage may change to gray.

Porphyrins create green shades.

Melanins form a brown and black color of feathers. Also they can create some shades of yellow.

In addition, the color of the bird can depend not only on the pigments contained in the feathers, but also on the structure of the first and second order beards. Depending on how the barbs are arranged and arranged, the feathers reflect the sun's rays with different wavelengths. Thus, feathers can pour into the sun.

Since the development of many pigments in the body of the poultry is regulated by the liver, a discoloration may indicate some diseases, such as chlamydia, vitamin A deficiency, excess zinc, etc.

How do birds care for feathers?

This occupation is dedicated to birds about two hours a day.

They can clean feathers in many ways. For example, fast-flying birds, such as swallows, swifts, terns, dipped on the fly into the water. Some wet their feathers in rainwater. Poultry can also be used to care for them.

Remove foreign objects caught in plumage, birds with the help of a beak.

Also, there is a special tool for giving feathers elasticity and eliminating pathogens. This is the fat that is secreted by the gland of the birds. First, the birds put it on their feet, and then rub their head with their paws.

To disinfect the feathers, some birds specifically damage the anthills. At the same time, formic acid enters the body of the bird. It helps to get rid of microorganisms and other parasites living in plumage.

Conclusion: feathers-record holders

The longest feathers are found in such birds as decorative Japanese cocks. Their length is more than 5 meters. They are located on the tail.

Also, long feathers boast an argument - a bird that looks like a peacock. Two middle feathers on its tail reach 150 cm in length.

Birds with the most beautiful feathers by right can be considered peacocks. Their plumage looks multicolored due to the special structure of the tail feather beards, which reflect light.

Another bird with the most beautiful feathers can be called heavenly. Their plumage can be of different colors. And feathers on the tail can be of the most varied length and shape. For example, they can be twisted in the form of a spiral.