Feathers - Page 2 - Wildlife Gardeners

havalotta · 03-14-2011, 12:19 PM

Feathers are often gathered by various birds to.....Hmmmmmm

Feather their nest so to speak.

Literally!
Notice their use IN the creation of the nest (of the phoebe) itself.
They are used as a soft bedding on the inside of a nests cup as well.

havalotta · 03-15-2011, 09:46 AM

Downey feathers of a new born are fluffy and float free of each other trapping warm air close to the body for insulation.

They are usually pushed out as the normal feathers emerge.

dapjwy · 03-15-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havalotta

Downey feathers of a new born are fluffy and float free of each other trapping warm air close to the body for insulation.
Attachment 23073
They are usually pushed out as the normal feathers emerge.

Cute punk hairstyle the little guy has.

havalotta · 03-16-2011, 07:59 AM

Most birds do some sort of grooming-preening to keep its feathers smooth and sleek... Utilizing an oil from a gland found near its tail.

Wiki:

Quote:

The gland is shaped into two symmetric parts. The oil of each part of the gland is secreted through the surface of the skin through a grease nipple-like nub. A bird will typically transfer this oil to its feathers by rubbing its head against the oil and then around the rest of the body. Tailward areas are usually preened utilizing the beak.

Have you ever heard of the Popes nose on a cooked chicken?....Those fat filled OIL GLANDS are in THAT portion.

Quote:

Not all birds have a uropygial gland. The emu, ostrich, and bustards typically find other means to stay clean and dry, such as taking a dust bath.

havalotta · 03-17-2011, 03:30 PM

Even the vultures keep themselves clean.

Opening their wings to the sun, dries their feathers and rids them of any bacteria picked up while feeding.

dapjwy · 03-17-2011, 04:14 PM

Great shot... I saw a turkey vulture up close just yesterday.

havalotta · 03-17-2011, 05:21 PM

Noooooo

Just happens, he was next in line...

havalotta · 03-18-2011, 09:43 AM

Birds go through a replacement process-molt brought on by seasonal and hormonal changes.

Molts replace damaged feathers,

produce the more drab Winter plumage,

the brighter more vivid breeding plumage,

and sometimes even years (Eagles for instance) to produce the final adult plumage.

dapjwy · 03-18-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havalotta

Birds go through a replacement process-molt brought on by seasonal and hormonal changes...Eagles for instance) to produce the final adult plumage.

Great photos and great info...I can see this as a small, pocket-sized book for children.

havalotta · 03-20-2011, 03:56 PM

Males and females of the same species often have two distinct feather color differences

A female Peacock and her little ones are fairly drab looking....

Their tone is less conspicuous and enables a better survival rate for her and her young. Notice its color mimics its surroundings.

The females attention is drawn to the GREAT coloration of the male.

Open tail fans are often part of their courtship displays.

03-14-2011, 12:19 PM	#11
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Feathers are often gathered by various birds to.....Hmmmmmm Feather their nest so to speak. Literally! Notice their use IN the creation of the nest (of the phoebe) itself. They are used as a soft bedding on the inside of a nests cup as well. __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

03-15-2011, 09:46 AM	#12
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Downey feathers of a new born are fluffy and float free of each other trapping warm air close to the body for insulation. They are usually pushed out as the normal feathers emerge. __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

03-17-2011, 03:30 PM	#15
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Even the vultures keep themselves clean. Opening their wings to the sun, dries their feathers and rids them of any bacteria picked up while feeding. __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

03-17-2011, 04:14 PM	#16
dapjwy WG Hospitality & UAOKA recipient Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania	Great shot... I saw a turkey vulture up close just yesterday. __________________ "If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing and human spirits would soar." ~ Lorrie Otto ~ A Native Backyard Blog ~

03-17-2011, 05:21 PM	#17
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Noooooo Just happens, he was next in line... __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

03-18-2011, 09:43 AM	#18
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Birds go through a replacement process-molt brought on by seasonal and hormonal changes. Molts replace damaged feathers, produce the more drab Winter plumage, the brighter more vivid breeding plumage, and sometimes even years (Eagles for instance) to produce the final adult plumage. __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

03-20-2011, 03:56 PM	#20
havalotta WG Prize & Gift Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan	Males and females of the same species often have two distinct feather color differences A female Peacock and her little ones are fairly drab looking.... Their tone is less conspicuous and enables a better survival rate for her and her young. Notice its color mimics its surroundings. The females attention is drawn to the GREAT coloration of the male. Open tail fans are often part of their courtship displays. __________________ The successful woman is the woman that had the chance and took it! A walk among the elusive Whitetail Deer

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