Birds could not fly without feathers. The thick coat of feathers streamlines the body and helps the bird glide smoothly through the air, and also helps keep the body warm.

The large primary, or wingtip feathers, are attached to the bones that correspond to our hands. The secondary feathers are connected to the bones that correspond to our forearms.

Types of Feathers

Feathers come in an almost infinite variety, but they fall into four main categories. Most numerous are the contour feathers which coat the body, giving it a streamlined shape. A house sparrow wears about 3,500 of these in winter, and they are so efficient at sealing in heat that it can