What are the three major types of feathers?
• Down – These are the fluffy feathers located beneath the contour feathers that help maintain the body temperature. • Contour – These feathers cover the contour (body) of the bird. They resemble Down feathers near the base (fluffy) and are stiffer toward the tips like Flight feathers. These feathers help to keep the wind and rain away from the bird’s body while providing a more aerodynamic shape. • Flight – Made up of Primary, Secondary and Tail feathers, these feathers provide the lift for flight and stability. The Primary and Secondary feathers (Remiges) are connected to the major bones in the bird’s wings and are asymmetrical similar to the wing or airfoil of an airplane. The Tail feathers (Retrices) are symmetrical and provide stability during flight similar to the rudder on an airplane.
