Feather Science
Written by: Richard K. Simpson

show/hide words to know

Iridescence: bright rainbow-like colors that can change depending on the angle you look at them or the angle light hits them.

Pressure: a force against an object. Like when you use your hand to push a door open.

Thrust: to push in one direction.

Flashcard facts and information about feathers

Biology Bits stories are a great way for you to learn about biology a little bit at a time. We’ve broken down information into pieces that are very tiny—bite-sized biology cards. Cutting out the cards will let you organize them however you want, or use them as flashcards while you read.

This set of bits will teach you about the many ways birds use one of their finest features: feathers. To learn more about the science behind feathers, visit Feather Biology.

Play the slide show from the beginning or pick a slide to begin with by clicking on a slide below.

A brown featherA woodpecker illustrationAn illustration of a peacock-style featherA diagram showing how lift works on a wingAn illustration of a goose flying, showing the direction of thrust and airflow.An illustration of four of the six types of feathers.An illustration showing up-close feather anatomy.Illustrations of bird claws and a bird beak.An illustration of a humminbird with a blue and green body and a ruby red throat.A cartoon silhouette of a person's head while they are talking.

You can also download Biology Bits in the following formats:

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View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Feather Bits
  • Author(s): Richard K. Simpson
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: September 19, 2014
  • Date accessed: April 19, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/feather-bits

APA Style

Richard K. Simpson. (2014, September 19). Feather Bits. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved April 19, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/feather-bits

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Richard K. Simpson. "Feather Bits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 19 September, 2014. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/feather-bits

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Richard K. Simpson. "Feather Bits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 19 Sep 2014. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 19 Apr 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/feather-bits

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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