THE STRUCTURE OF
BIRDS ’ FEATHERS
The most important difference that distinguishes birds from other creatures
is surely their ability to fly. Birds can fly by means of their feathers, which
in fact have a very special structure.
A bird feather is a light structure that has lift force and can easily regain its
original shape. If we examine a bird's feather under a microscope, we see a
marvelous creation. In the middle part of the feather is a hard central shaft
with a series of paired branches called barbs on either side. These barbs,
whose lengths and softness vary, en-
able the bird to fly in the air.
As we examine the subject in further
detail, we encounter even more inter-
esting structures. Minute hairs called
“barbules” project from each barb.
Barbules cannot be seen with the
naked eye. On these barbules are little
hooks. The barbules are interlocked by
these hooks, just like a zipper.
The hooks are clamped together like
the two rows of a zipper. The barbules
110
W O N D E R F U L C R E A T U R E S
