Höyhenpeiteestä
Höyhenpeiteestä refers to the plumage of birds. It is a complex and dynamic covering composed of feathers, which are unique epidermal structures. Feathers serve a variety of essential functions for birds, including insulation, flight, display, and protection. The structure of a feather consists of a quill, a shaft, and barbs, which interlock to form a vane. Different types of feathers exist, such as contour feathers that give a bird its shape, down feathers for insulation, and flight feathers on the wings and tail.
The color and patterns of a bird's plumage are determined by pigments and structural coloration. Pigments like
Molting is the process by which birds shed and replace old or damaged feathers. This is a