Think About Feathers

Think About Feathers

Take a minute to reflect on what you’ve learned about feathers.

How does the structure of wing feathers support flight?
How does the structure of down work to insulate the bird?
How did a close look at feather growth inspire new discoveries about feather evolution?

Think About Feathers thumbnail
Launch the immersive Think About Feathers Interactive Feature section. Launch Now
Think About Feathers is part of a larger Interactive Feature where you'll find:
  1. What is Unique to Birds? thumbnail
    What is Unique to Birds? Discover which anatomical features are unique to birds What is Unique to Birds?
  2. How Feathers Are Built thumbnail
    How Feathers Are Built Explore feather anatomy—from the fluffy downs to the aerodynamic flight feathers How Feathers Are Built
  3. What Feathers Do thumbnail
    What Feathers Do Learn how feathers function to help birds fly, show off, blend in, stay warm, and keep dry What Feathers Do
  4. Feathers Through Time thumbnail
    Feathers Through Time Get the scoop on how and why feathers evolved on the dinosaur ancestors of birds Feathers Through Time
  5. Meet a Feather Scientist thumbnail
    Meet a Feather Scientist Follow the scientific journey that uncovered how some feathers act as musical instruments Meet a Feather Scientist
  6. Think About Feathers thumbnail
    Think About Feathers Take a minute to reflect on what you've learned about feathers Think About Feathers