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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or '''plumage''' of birds.  They are the outstanding characteristic that distinguishes the Class '''Aves''' from all other living groups.   

Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or '''plumage''' of birds.  They are the outstanding characteristic that distinguishes the Class '''Aves''' from all other living groups.   

'''Additional functions'''

'''Additional functions'''

*Courtship displays

*Courtship displays

*Defence

*Defence

Cryptic colouring (camouflage)

*Cryptic colouring (camouflage)

 

*Colour mimicking

Colour mimicking

*Dominance/subdominance conflicts

 

Dominance/subdominance conflicts

 

*Aggressive territorial behaviour

*Aggressive territorial behaviour

*'''Contour feathers''': these are the predominant feather covering the body.

*'''Contour feathers''': these are the predominant feather covering the body.

*'''Coverts''': are small contour feathers of the wing and the tail.

*'''Coverts''': are small contour feathers of the wing and the tail.

*'''Remiges''': are large stiff feathers of the wing.

*'''Remiges''': are large stiff flight feathers of the wing.

*'''Retrices''': are large stiff flight feathers of the tail.

*'''Retrices''': are large stiff flight feathers of the tail.

*'''Specialised adapted feathers''': include semiplumes, hypopnea, filiplumes and bristles.

*'''Specialised adapted feathers''': include semiplumes (enhance thermal isulation, enable courtship), hypopnea, filoplumes (hairless feathers than grow along down feathers and monitor the position of adjacent feathers) and bristles (stiff feathers with sensory and protective functions).

*'''Down feathers''': can be subcategorised into adult, natal and powder down.  Powder down are specialised down feathers that disintegrate and produce a powder (keratin) that is spread through the feathers during preening.  They are found throughout the body among the down and contour feathers.

*'''Down feathers''': help insulate the bird and contributes to buoyancy. They can be subcategorised into body, natal and powder down.  Powder down are specialised down feathers that disintegrate and produce a powder (keratin) that is spread through the feathers during preening.  They are found throughout the body among the down and contour feathers.

==Physiology of the Feather==

==Physiology of the Feather==

'''Fret marks''' (stress lines) appear as clear breaks in the feather colour as a result of interruption in feather growth and malformation of the feather barbs.  Nutritional, environmental, disease or drug stresses can result in the production of 'fret marks'.

'''Fret marks''' (stress lines) appear as clear breaks in the feather colour as a result of interruption in feather growth and malformation of the feather barbs.  Nutritional, environmental, disease or drug stresses can result in the production of 'fret marks'.

==Test yourself with the Integumentary System Flashcards==

 

|flashcards = [[Feather flashcards - Anatomy & Physiology|Feather Flashcards]]

[[Integumentary_System_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology_-_Flashcards#Feather_Flashcards|Feather Flashcards]]

 

|OVAM = [http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-feather-0 Avian Interactive Anatomy - Feather 1]<br>[http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-feather-3 Avian Interactive Anatomy - Feather 2]<br>[http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-feather-2 Avian Interactive Anatomy - Feather 3]<br>[http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-feather-1 Avian Interactive Anatomy - Feather 4]<br>[http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-wing-0 Avian Interactive Anatomy - Wing 1]<br>[http://www.onlineveterinaryanatomy.net/content/interactive-avian-anatomy-wing Avian Interactive Anatomy - Wing 2]

==Links==

==Links==

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathers

 

[[Category:Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Image Review]]

[[Category:Integumentary System]]