Feather Basics
What protein are feathers made of?
Keratin
What is the central shaft of a feather called?
The rachis
What force pushes a bird upward?
Lift
Why are bird bones lightweight?
They are hollow
Why are feathers considered unique to birds?
Only birds have true feathers
What are the three main types of feathers?
Contour, down, and flight feathers
What are the branches coming off the central shaft called?
Barbs
What force pulls a bird downward?
Gravity
What Muscle is attached to a bone in the birds chest.
The keel
When a bird sunbathes on anthills allowing the ants to crawl all over what is it called.
Anting
What type of feather keeps birds warm?
Down feathers
What tiny hook structures hold barbs together?
Barbules
What is thrust?
The forward force that moves a bird through the air
What are the two main flight muscles?
Pectoralis major and supracoracoideus also known as the chest muscles.
What is drag?
Air resistance that slows flight
What is molting?
The process of shedding and replacing feathers
What part of the feather attaches into the bird’s skin?
The Quill
What shape of wing creates lift?
The airfoil shape
When a bird goes up and down like it's on a rollercoaster what is it called.
Undulating flight.
Where are the flight feather located
on the wings and tail
Why are feathers better for insulation than fur?
They trap air efficiently and are lightweight
Why is the interlocking barb system important?
It forms a smooth, strong surface for flight
How does air pressure differ above and below a wing?
Air moves faster above the wing, creating lower pressure and lift
What is the longest known wingspan of any bird.
12 feet. (Wandering Albatross)
Why do birds have strong but lightweight skeletons?
To reduce weight while maintaining strength for flight