The BIRDS FEATHERS

Feather of a Guinea fowl, with up close. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I discovered something amazing about birds feathers.   There are seven structures and or types of feather. There is that signature of the creator again with the number seven firmly in place in the structure of the Bird. 

Tail feathers of Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Flight Feathers
2. Contour Feathers
3. Semi-Flumes
4. Down Feathers
5. Bristles
6. Filoplumes
7. Eyelashes

A Killawarra Kookaburra

The Flight Feathers are then separated into two groups of differing forms also

1.  Remiges: large wing feathers
   
   • Primaries are attached to the bones of the "hand"
   • Secondaries are attached to the bones of the “forearm”
   • Tertiaries are attached to the humerus or upper arm bone.
    
2. Retices: Large tail feathers

The Contour Feathers are the smallish feathers that cover the body, wings and tail of the bird.

The Semi-Plumes are feathers that are used to create shape for the bird and they also give some warmth as well.

Down Feathers are the soft under feathers that insulate and trap warmth for the bird.

The Bristle Feathers are amazing, these are used as a touch sensor or a funnel.  This causes a reflex in the bird to snap up food.

The Filoplumes are specialized feathers (bristle) used for registering pressure and vibration through extra sensory nerve endings, they are sensory organs for the bird.  They also help to keep all the other feathers in place for flight and bathing and warmth.

The Eyelash feathers are tiny and very similar to that of the human eyelash.

White Cockatoo landing

Birds figure greatly in the totemic natures and the feathers which show structured colour or Chromataphore colour.

The Owl is sacred in many cultures, it is my friend Tamiekas totem.  She cries bitterly if she finds one hurting or injured and if she finds one dead she takes it and buries it with as much care as a sister or brother.

The Peacock Angel is part of the Yazidis Kurdish peoples. The Non Yazidis kurds accuse these people of devil worship and call their the paramount spirit, the Peacock Angel an epitome of the devil.

The Peacock Angel carries out Yazdan’s divine wishes.  Yazdan and the Peacock Angel are regarded as inseparable.

The war in Gaza effects these people greatly and many say these are surviving peoples of the original Zoroasters of that area of Syria.
ABC NEW STORY 

More on Feather Facts Here

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

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