What are the major groups of feathers?
• Primary Flight Feathers – These are the main feathers attached to the wing tips. There are usually eleven (11) but the quantity may vary with species. Six (6) are attached to the metacarpal part of the wing and the remaining extend along the Major Digit to the wing tip. • Secondary Flight Feathers – These flight feathers are attached to the Radius and Ulna bones. The quantity varies greatly from less than Ten (10) in some passerine species up to Forty (40) in larger species (albatross). • Primary Coverts – Contour feathers that cover the base of the Primary feathers. Secondary Coverts – Coverts or contour feathers that cover the base of the Secondary feathers. • Median Wing Coverts – The next row of Coverts up (toward the body) from the Primary Coverts and Secondary Coverts. • Minor Wing Coverts- The next row of Coverts up (toward the body) from the Median Wing Coverts. • Marginal Wing Coverts- The next row of Coverts up (toward the body) from the Minor Wing Coverts. • Tail Feathers
