Bird, feathers (Gross, Low)

Structure List Male blackbird Female blackbird

BIRD FEATHERS are highly specialized epidermal structures that have evolved from the scales of reptiles. Feathers serve many functions for a bird. a)The color of feathers serve as camouflage and to protect birds from predators. b)The color of feathers serve to communicate sex type. This is called sexual dimorphism when the male and female of a species display different plumages. c)Feathers repel water with the aid of the uropygial glands' oily secretions rubbed over the body during preening. This is especially important in waterfowl, where human-caused oil spills saturate the feathers and destroy the bird's delicate protective covering.