What is the meaning of the term contour feather?

What is the meaning of the term contour feather?

contour feather. noun Ornithology. one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird, including those of the wings and tail but excluding such specialized types as downs and filoplumes.

What are the outermost feathers of a bird?

n. Any of the outermost feathers of a bird, forming the visible body contour and plumage. one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird including those of the wings and tail.

How are feathers used in the human body?

Contour feathers (including the flight and tail feathers) define the body outline and serve as aerodynamic devices; filoplumes (hair feathers) and plumules (down feathers) are used principally as insulation, to conserve body heat.

Which is the intermediate form between down and contour feathers?

Semiplumes are the intermediate form between the contour and down feathers. Their barbs usually lack hooks, so their vanes are not pennaceous. They occur at the edges of contour feather tracts and complement the insulation of down feathers.

What does a contour feather do for a bird?

In integument: Birds Contour feathers (including the flight and tail feathers) define the body outline and serve as aerodynamic devices; filoplumes (hair feathers) and plumules (down feathers) are used principally as insulation, to conserve body heat.

What is the definition of contour feathers?

contour feather. noun Ornithology . one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird, including those of the wings and tail but excluding such specialized types as downs and filoplumes.

How do contour feathers help a bird?

• strong and flexible.
• Contour feathers.
• supporting the bird during flight.
• Rectrices (tail flight feathers) The rectrices or tail flight feathers are mainly concerned with stability and control.
• Coverts.

  What type of birds have contour feathers?

  Altricial birds (who rely on a brooding parent) have sparse natal down since they receive heat transferred by a parent. Body Down lies under the contour feathers of many adult birds. These are more common in waterbirds such as penguins, loons, and ducks. Ever see a duck or goose line its nest with feathers?