FEATHERS OF GALLUS GALLUS DOMESTICUS (DOMESTIC FOWL).

Importance of feathers to the bird

• Courtship/ display, especially in males
• Warmth
• Flight
• Camouflage (dull, especially in females when sitting on eggs)

Economic importance of feathers

• Feathers are used for decoration
• Feathers are used for pillows
• Feathers for religious/medicinal purposes.

Observable features

• Barbs
• Vane
• Shaft
• Loose barbs
• Quill
• Superior umbilicus
• Inferior umbilicus

Which part of the organism can the specimen be found in?

• It is found on the
• wing and
• tail

Functions of the quill feather

• It is used for flight
• The tail feathers are used for steering and braking

Features of adaptation

• It is light, hollow, smooth, and waterproof
• Interlocking barbs provide a large surface area for flying
• Rachis/shaft strengthens the feather and point of attachment

Features of biological importance

• Quill feather for flight
• Adaptive colouration: courtship display and camouflage
• Waterproof
• Flat/broad to protect against desiccation

Differences between contour and down feathers

Location on the body

• trunk of the body,
• the neck, or
• as wing coverts

Functions

• Protects the body against mechanical injury
• It prevents heat loss (provides warmth)
• Prevents the body from getting wet
• It provides a streamlined shape for the body (the backward arrangement reduces air resistance)

Difference between contour and down feathers.

They are found close to beneath the contour

Structure

• They are small and soft
• They have a short shaft
• and barbs which do not interlock

Functions

• Protects the body against mechanical injury
• It prevents heat loss (provides warmth)
• Prevents the body from getting wet

General functions of feathers

• Protection against mechanical injury
• Provides warmth
• Provides a streamlined shape
• Sexual display
• Provides camouflage

Follow to join the WhatsApp Channel.

Telegram Channel