Bird, feathers (Gross, High)

Structure List Down feather Flight feather Shaft Barbs Barbules

FLIGHT FEATHERS The flight feather (or contour feather) enables a bird to fly. Thus, it is vital that feathers maintain their shape. By observing a contour feather beneath a dissecting microscope one can note how the anatomy of a feather enables it to maintain its shape. The vane is formed by parallel rows of barbs arising from the shaft, interlocked via barbules and hooklets.