Feather is a derived characteristic specific to Class Aves that is similar to what is known as skin. Feathers act as insulation, communication, defense mechanism, and flight. Feathers come in various patterns and coloration which gives each bird their own specific plumage to be distinguished from one another. The role feathers serve for birds to survival is explained in detail with different situations.
Alpha-keratin is a type of protein found in all vertebrates to form a skin. Birds and reptiles have an additional protein called beta-keratin which is the main structure of feathers and beaks for birds, and reptilian skin and claws for reptiles. The primary feathers, known as contour feathers are the most common type of feathers found in birds. It has the long flat shape with a hollow stick called a calamus supporting the root and connecting to the rachis. Lateral barbs then branches off from the rachis creating the soft and smooth shaft of feather. The inner part of the feather serves as insulation, and the outer part is for different purposes. Barbs can be separated into three structure: barbule, barbicel, and ramus. Barbules is the thin flexible part of the feather which gives the texture. Then from that as the feather goes inward toward the body, it becomes more rigid structure to support the shape and give insulation.
Feathers can also have a secondary structure. For example the Cedar Waxwing of North America has a modified fused barbs at the terminal with wax-like wing feather tips. The fused barbs allow water to soak the feather to reduce buoyancy but at the same time can air dry fast when coming out of water. Many water birds have feather modification specific for swimming.
A great example of water bird would be the specie called Sandgrouse. They are birds that live in the desert of Africa. From the nearest water the nest is about thirty kilometers away which enables the baby bird from getting the water. The male sandgrouse would go in the water and absorbs it to bring it back to the nest. They have modified barbs where barbules extends to hold water in them.
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