This week’s Bird Words are: Pennaceous vs. Plumulaceous
Birds have two different types of feathers: pennaceous and plumulaceous, which refer to the structure of the feather. According to Cornell Academy, pennaceous feathers are stiff and flat, like tail feathers and flight feathers, while plumulaceous feathers are loose and downy, making them efficient insulators. You can learn everything you need to know about feathers from this article from Cornell Academy.
Pennaceous feathers like the flight feathers on this hawk are stiff and flat, but may also have downy plumulaceous areas. Photo: Red-tailed Hawk, Bruce Fritz/Audubon Photography Awards
Speaking of feathers: This Audubon article about a Native-run raptor rescue sheds light on the importance of feathers for ceremonial purposes and how the cultural need for feathers is helping to conserve and protect birds.
We’re starting a book club: Our first meeting in November will be on “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. More to come on the club, but you can get started on reading the book now!
Are you part of the world’s largest citizen science project? This article on the remarkable rise of eBird discusses how regular birders have transformed the study of birds on a global scale.
