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Small birds feathers

Small birds feathers are produced by a protein called keratin. Keratin is the same material that human nails consist of.
Individual bird feathers have a backbone down the center of the feather called a quill.

Small birds feather colors ( colours )


Some small birds have feather colours ( colors )that are designed to provide insulation against hot weather.
The feathers can also act as an attraction for potential mates and protective camouflage.
A small bird may display a plumage of feathers in a fan formation like the peacock or cause the feather formation to shimmer.
Water proofing of the birds feathers is required to provide insulation during wet weather> Water proofing allows small birds to fly during rain.
The water proofing of birds feathers is achieved by the bird preening itself using its preen glands. The preen glands contain an oily substance.

Feather shapes


Small bird feathers are designed to have an outer cover of top feathers and a under covering of down feathers. The shape and design of down feathers make them excellent insulation against cold and hot weather.
Down feathers are also used by small birds to incubate their eggs.

Small bird feather shapes


Contoured feathers are the feathers that cover the outside of the body and can be vibrant in colours.
Tail feathers or rudder feathers and wing feathers are called flight feathers. Birds feathers Colours that are contained in a small birds feathers are produced by the small birds pigments.
The colours of green feathers and violet colored feathers are produced by the reflection of light called the prism affect.
Shimmering colored feathers or iridescent coloured feathers are produced by light entering the feathers. The light interacts with the colored areas and membranes situated on the small birds body.

Small birds feather colors


Birds numbers may be in excess of 200,000 million at any one time throughout the world. The single most abundant species of wild bird comes from Africa.

Small bird species that have coloured feathers and are close to extinction and are the Sudanese cliff swallow and Orange necked partridge. These are just a couple of small bird species with colored feathers or distinctive bird feathers and are in danger of being lost forever.

Feather shapes of small birds


Caged birds that are kept in aviaries and small birds in the wild will attempt to hide any weakness, sickness or injury from observation until incapacitation prevents the camouflage. The general appearance of the small bird and its feather arrangements are an early indication of a bird in distress.
Some feather shapes and feather colours that may indicate an illness areas followed.

Feathers that display an abnormal growth or feather shape.
Small bird feathers that are dull in color or appearance.
Rough looking small bird feathers.
Poor preening or lack of feather preening.
A fluffed feather appearance.

Feathers


Feather plucking is an obvious indicator to ill health. Plucking of a birds feathers can be caused by tumors or cysts within the feathers or
A parasite
A virus infection.
Deficiencies of vitamin A.
Fungal or bacterial infection of the feathers.
Chemicals that are used within the house such as cleaning sprays should not be used around caged birds.
The over spray will settle on the small birds feathers causing the bird to preen itself and pluck feathers. This will destroy the shape of their feathers and appearance.

Open fire places, perfume sprays and mosquito sprays are all possible irritants for bird feathers.
Small birds that become ill should be kept warm and placed in a safe container that can be transported to the veterinarian. The container should have heating set to a comfortable warmth for the small bird.
The birds stress levels will be reduced by keeping it warm while being transported.

A suitable heater that can be used to safely obtain this temperature can be found at this web site. They have a large range of portable and small heaters that are suitable for the pet market.

Small bird feathers


Small bird feather molting is natures way of replacing worn and damaged bird feathers. Moulting can occur in birds up to twice a year but a normal molting is a yearly event.
The moult of a small birds feathers is carried out in patterns and quantity that will not disrupt its camouflage colors making the bird vulnerable to predators. A full moult can take up to 9 months to complete.

Feather shapes


Small birds that are going through a feather moult and feather shape use a large amount of energy. Levels of energy needed to complete a moult can be as high as 30 percent of the birds normal metabolic rate. Small birds that are kept in an aviary need an area that is quiet. The aviary should have no sharp surfaces that may damage a birds feathers and another area set aside for egg laying.



Copyright 2001-2008 Small bird feathers and colours. Small bird feather shapes and colours ( colors ).

Bird feathers Feather shapes Feather colors colours.