416
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Functions of the Feather
*Aggressive territorial behaviour
*Aggressive territorial behaviour
==Anatomy and Physiology of the Feather==
In most birds, the body is divided into areas that contain feather tracts, '''pterylae''' and areas that do not, '''apteriae'''. The location and the number of tracts varies between species. By originating from tracts rather than being randomly distributed, feathers can smoothly overlap and conform to the natural contours of the body. By laying feathers over apteriae, air can be trapped beneath, providing insulation.
The portions of the feather can be decribed as follows:
*'''Calamus''': The short, hollow, tubular, unpigmented end of the mature feather inserted into the feather follicle and thus present below the skin level.