The fact that birds are the only creatures that sport feathers intrigues many people. This fascination is tied to the power and beauty of the wing and, in turn, the wonder of bird’s feathers. Besides the obvious function of bird feathers as tools of flight, feathers have many other important functions.

Functions of Bird Feathers

• Camouflage
• Protection from weather
• Identify a bird to others of the species
• Identification and to impress or locate a mate
• Bright-colored feathers on a male impress a rival
• Provide balance
• Insulate against cold
• Buoyancy for swimming
• Protect from water
• Enable a bird to fly

Keratin: Bird Plastic
Feathers are made of keratin, a protein substance like plastic. Keratin makes up the hard material of beaks, scales of feet, legs and talons, claws and after-shaft (quill part), rachis (the central shaft where the barbs are attached to the feather), as well as the interwoven sides of the feather called the vanes. Tiny barbs link the vane filaments together with barbules that lock the barbs together.

Melanin: Color
The colors in a bird’s feathers are formed by melanin, a natural pigment of actual color, but some color results from the reflection and diffraction of light due to the structure of the feather. Melanin also helps strengthen the feather. As the feather wears, it loses color. These colors change according to the season and the bird’s aging. Feathers are dull, streaked, mottled or faded more in the female bird to give her extra camouflage protection while she sits and tends a nest. Males are usually the brightest of the pair to ward off competitors and to attract the female.

Preening and Molting
Birds spend much of their time preening feathers, which is the straightening and cleaning of the vanes and the filaments. Old feathers come loose and molt as they begin to wear and need to be replaced. All birds shed feathers. Most molt only once a year, but some can molt twice a year (bobolinks, goldfinches, indigo bunting and scarlet tanagers), and a few species molt three or even four times a year. The ptarmigan is one of these birds.

While it is often disputed, some ornithologists claim that oil from the oil gland is spread by the bird on its feathers during preening to make them waterproof. Feathers themselves seem to be waterproof and so the bird sheds rain easily. It is known that birds need water for bathing in order to keep their feathers clean, dry, light and working correctly.

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