There is nothing like seeing a feather up close. To help you do this we borrowed some feathers from some or our scientists and researchers and took pictures with a special scanner and microscope so you can get a close look at them. Click on any of the feathers in the gallery below and then zoom in and explore. We also have a companion story about feathers that you might like to check out.

	Great Argus Pheasant Argusianus argus Wing feather [left] Temminck's Tragopan Pheasant Tragopan temminckii Body feather [right]
	Scarlet Macaw Ara macao Body feather [left] Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae Neck feather [right]
	Amazon Parrot Unknown species Tail feather [left] Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius Wing feather [right]
	Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Neck feather [left] Wood Duck Aix sponsa Body (side) feather [right]
	Blue & Gold Macaw Ara ararauna Wing feather top view [left] Blue & Gold Macaw Ara ararauna Wing feather bottom view [right]
	Blue & Gold Macaw Ara ararauna Wing feather magnified top view [left] Blue & Gold Macaw Ara ararauna Wing feather magnified bottom view [right]

The black scale bar lines in each image are equal to 10 millimeters (one centimeter).

These feathers were collected by scientists and other researchers that have been granted a permit by the government to collect feathers. In case you did not know, in the United States it is illegal to collect feathers from most birds without a permit. So don't start pulling feathers off every bird you see. You can't even keep a feather you found on the ground. In case you would like to know about the law called, "The Migratory Bird Treaty Act," try out this link.