March 25, 2010

You should see my aviary...little white down feathers everywhere. You see, I am molting. No! Not melting...molting! Down feathers are small, soft, fluffy, and are found under the contour feathers. They are plumaceous, and have many non-interlocking barbs, lacking the barbules and hooklets seen in contour and flight feathers. This makes it possible for them to trap air in an insulating layer next to my skin, protecting me from heat and cold. These feathers are so efficient, humans use them for insulation, too, in down jackets and comforters. Come and get your downy feathers!!!