Different Types of Feathers
Bruce Tuck | Swan Lake Bird Facts
October 2025
Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
Last month we looked at bird feathers and how they are constructed. There are many different types of feathers that vary in function and form. They are more or less prevalent depending on the type of bird and their varied needs. Let’s start with the smallest.
Bristles are hair-like feathers that are most often found on the head. Owls have bristles around their beaks while woodpeckers use them to cover their nostrils. Filoplumes are also very small but can be found throughout the body. Their specialized function is to monitor the position of other larger feathers. The down we often associate with newborn geese and ducks is also present in adult birds. Down feathers act as insulation, trapping air next to the bird’s body.
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
California quail (Callipepla californica)
Contour feathers cover the body and because of their size, are easily identified. They are arranged in an overlapping pattern and form what we associate as the plumage. Flight or wing feathers are very specialized and can be broken down into primary, secondary and tertial depending on their size and location. They can often be identified from below on soaring raptors and gulls.
Special adaptations are many depending on how the specific bird flies. Tail feathers are also easily identified and are used to help steer the bird in flight. Woodpeckers have strong tail feathers used for balance as they search for food deep in the bark of trees.
We have only touched the surface of the world of feathers. Many species have specialized feathers like the California Quail with their head appendage and hummingbirds with their brilliant gorget are two of these.
Next month we will take a closer look at what all these feathers are actually used for. Flight is the obvious answer but there are many more uses to discover.
Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Photo and Text Credit: Bruce Tuck | @BirdsInMyView
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