Photo Essay: Feather Fancy
Quills, plumes, bristles, down: Birds have the best outerwear on earth. A look at its magnificent variety and function.
from Reader's Digest Magazine | September 2012
Robert Clark/Institute
From Indonesia's red bird of paradise
Most of us don't spend a lot of time thinking about feathers, but conservation biologist Thor Hanson does—and thinks we take these natural marvels for granted.
Robert Clark/Institute
From the wing of Africa's superb starling
Hanson, a self-confessed feather fanatic, lists the lightweights' strengths: Depending on type, feathers are amazing insulation, they're waterproof, their airfoil structure is a model of aeronautical engineering, and, oh yes, they're beautiful.
Robert Clark/Institute
These vibrant contour feathers crown the head of China's golden pheasant.
We may stuff feathers in our parkas and stick them in our hats, but physicists and engineers try to crack their secrets.
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The blue-fronted Amazon parrot has a tail of different color (or three).
Hanson, the author of—what else?—Feathers, says, "They cross that imaginary but significant boundary we erect between the natural world and the human world."
Robert Clark/Institute
Fly fishermen covet feathers from the grey junglefowl (India).
"Feathers are on birds outside your window, but they're also in your house," continues Hanson. "They're in your feather duster or your pillow, unchanged from how they are in nature. You're never far from a feather."
Robert Clark/Institute
A peacock feather adapted for display.
It's not waterproof or flight-friendly, but rather, it's augmented to look as beautiful as possible.
Robert Clark/Institute
The red-crested turaco is no slouch in the looks department either.
The feather itself is gorgeous, but consider this: These African redheads have green bodies.
