Feather Gallery

Overview

There is nothing like seeing a feather up close. To help you do this we borrowed some feathers from some of 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 at Feather Biology.

Collecting Feathers

These feathers were collected by scientists and other researchers that were granted a permit to do so by the government. In case you did not know, in the United States it is illegal to collect feathers from most birds without a permit. You can't even keep a feather you found on the ground.

To learn more about this law, visit the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Gallery