Plumage

: the feathers of a bird.

What is an example of plumage?

The word plumage traces back to the French word plume, meaning feather, and it's a way of referring to all the feathers that form the color and patterns of a particular bird. For example, birdwatchers study illustrations of birds so that they can recognize, say, a golden hawk in flight by its plumage.

What is plumage in a bird?

plumage, collective feathered covering of a bird. It provides protection, insulation, and adornment and also helps streamline and soften body contours, reducing friction in air and water.

What is another word for plumage?

down	feathers
fluff	fuzz
plumes	plume
barb	spike
spine	feather

What is full plumage?

plumage in American English 1. the entire feathery covering of a bird.

How do you use the word plumage?

Examples of 'plumage' in a sentence

They are also acquiring their summer plumage.
Their winter plumage is different from their summer plumage.
My three birds were still in this summer plumage. ...
His legs were swathed in white plumage. ...
The young birds are easily recognised by their brown plumage.

What is a plumage color?

Bird plumage colors are a result of either pigment or from the light reflecting off feathers. For example, bluebirds, indigo buntings and blue jays are not really blue. The color we see is the light reflecting off their brown feathers.

What colour is plumage?

Plumage colour originates from two different types of pigments in the bird's bloodstream which are then deposited in the feather follicles. Melanin provides the duller shades such as browns, greys, blacks and some oranges, and the vibrant many-hued colouring is brought about by the presence of carotenoids.

What animal has plumage?

Birds are the only living animals to have feathers. The only other animals known to have these colorful appendages were their ancestors: the non-avian dinosaurs.

What's the difference between feather and plumage?

Plumage (Latin: pluma "feather") is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, there can be different colour morphs.

Do all birds have a plumage?

All birds have feathers, even flightless birds which do not depend on streamlined wings to take to the skies. A bird's plumage serves an important function in regulating a bird's temperature, helps them to attract a mate, and (in most cases) allows for flight.

What are the 4 types of feathers?

Feathers fall into one of seven broad categories based on their structure and location on the bird's body.

Wing feathers.
Tail feathers. ...
Contour feathers. ...
Semiplume. ...
Down. ...
Filoplume. ...
Bristle.

Where does the word plumage come from?

Etymology. From Old French plumage (14c.), itself from plume (“feather”) (from Latin plūma (“feather, down”), from a Proto-Indo-European base *plews- (“to pluck, a feather, fleece”) + -age.

What part of speech is plumage?

PLUMAGE (noun) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary.

What are some antonyms for plumage?

Antonyms

disjoin.
uncover.
ratite.
carinate.
underdress.
dress down.
undercharge.

Why do birds change plumage?

This replacement of all or some of the feathers is called molt. In addition to providing a new set of healthy feathers, molts often provide a new look to the bird's plumage—new colors or patterns that can indicate the bird's age, sex, or the season of the year.

What feathering means?

feath·er·ing ˈfet͟h-riŋ ˈfe-t͟hər-iŋ : a covering of feathers : plumage. : a fringe of hair (as on the legs of a dog) see dog illustration.

How do birds change plumage?

From the moment they grow, they are subjected to sun, abrasion, and other wear and tear. The blackish pigment melanin, however, strengthens feathers, making the dark parts more resistant to wear. Birds use this fact to grow feathers that wear in specific ways.

What is plumage on a chicken?

The chicken's plumage is defined by the structure and colour of its feathers. Plumage colour is a feature used in modern poultry breeding to distinguish between breeds, strains and pure lines. It is therefore important in strain security.