Why do birds have feathers?

One doesn’t usually give much thought to the feathers of a bird, but they have come a long way in the evolution process. Birds, believe it or not, evolved from reptiles and thus bird feathers evolved from the scales of reptiles. The feathers of a bird provide the same function as reptile scales: protection.

Feathers protect a bird in a variety of ways. In general feathers protect a bird from the harmful rays of the sun, rain, and injury to their delicate skin. The feathers also have the remarkable ability to trap air pockets, which then serve as insulation in cold weather. Some birds even use their own feathers in the nest-building process.

You may be familiar with down feathers if you have ever had a down coat. You also know that a down coat is one of the warmest coats that you can buy. Down feathers have short shafts and many interlocking barbs. They are found directly underneath the bird’s contour feathers. The down feathers supply insulation by trapping air near the bird’s body. If you have seen a large bird such as a parrot up close you can often see the down feathers when the bird flaps its wings. The down feathers are often a light gray color and very soft to the touch. Down feathers will tend to slowly disintegrate, producing a powdery dust. It is this dander that is the reason that most people are allergic to birds.

The flight feathers are the feathers located on the wings and tail. There are primary flight feathers that on the bird would be equivalent to our hand. A bird also has secondary flight feathers which when comparing to a human would be our forearm. If you unfold the wing of a bird you will see the flight feathers. If you have a pet bird it is important if you don’t want the bird to fly free in the house to keep the primary flight feathers clipped. The primary flight feathers are the first five feathers on each wing of the bird. If you keep these trimmed a bird won’t be able to fly very far. You can clip them with special scissors you can purchase at a pet store. It is also important when you are clipping wings to have someone show you how it’s done and also to have styptic powder on hand. This powder stops bleeding. If you should nick a bird while clipping its wings you should apply this powder immediately because birds will bleed out rather quickly and die. It is always important if you are unsure about clipping your bird’s wings that you consult with a veterinarian before doing so.

Since feathers wear out and get old a bird must replace them every so often. It would be extremely difficult for a bird to fly with worn out feathers. In order to replace these old feathers birds go through a natural process called molting. Most birds molt once a year and the whole process can span over several weeks and even up to three months. During the molting process the bird’s feathers will have a ragged appearance and the bird may be a bit more grouchy or quiet. When the bird molts the old feather will fall out or is pushed out by the growth of a new feather. New feathers start out as a red pimple. This is known as a pin or a blood feather. These feathers are not fluffy because they are encased in a protective sheath. The bird will eventually remove this sheath which will allow the feather to open up. You should never assist the bird in removing the sheath. These immature feathers have a large blood supply. If the sheath is broken before it is time to be removed, it will bleed excessively. A damaged feather will not be replaced until the next molt.

The molting process can put physical stress on the bird since production of new feathers requires extra energy. It is important to feed a pet bird vitamin supplements during the molting process to ensure that it is getting the proper nutrients it needs during this time. Birds are also extremely susceptible to illness during the molting process. Continuous molting in a bird can present potential health problems because the bird is constantly using energy to replace feathers. In the wild, heat triggers the molting process. If your pet bird is continuously molting it may be because the bird is in direct view of sunlight or too close to a heater. If you have any questions about your pet bird during the molting process it is always wise to consult a veterinarian that specializes in birds.

During a breeding season birds can actually change colors or grow new fathers. Birds may become richer or darker and may grow long tail feathers during this period. All of these changes usually occur in males to help them in attracting a female. This period will soon pass and the male birds will return to its normal color.

Feathers not only protect and insulate a bird, they are often the first indication of the overall physical health of a bird. All birds can fluff or rustle their feathers to form the air pockets that insulate them from colds and chills. Therefore a bird with fluffed feathers is often the first sign of illness in a bird. A pet bird who picks at its feathers may have some separation anxiety and this should be paid attention to. Picking at the feathers is not a normal behavior and it should be sought attention by a veterinarian immediately. A bird may lose feathers or have extremely dry or scaly skin. This also requires medical attention, birds can get skin mites and dry skin very easily. Being aware of your bird’s feathers in a healthy condition is important so that at the first sign of illness you can seek help from a veterinarian.

It is hard to imagine that a bird’s feathers could evolve from the scales you see on a reptile such a snake, but they have. The feathers of a bird are complex but much needed to battle the elements that birds face everyday. You probably thought they just helped a bird to fly but as you now know they are much more than that.