Feather Plume

Plumage

Plumage, or feathering, 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 sex and age classes. Within a few species, there can be different colour morphs. The placement of feathers on a bird is not haphazard but rather emerges in organised, overlapping rows and groups, and these feather tracts are known by standard names.

Plume (feather)

A plume is a special type of bird feather, possessed by egrets, ostriches, birds of paradise, quetzals, pheasants, peacocks and quails. They often have a decorative or ornamental purpose, commonly used among marching bands and the military, worn on the hat or helmet of the wearer. Famously by the blues & royals and the Life Guards. When used on military headdresses, the clipped feather plume is referred to as the hackle.

Feather

Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on both avian (bird) and some non-avian dinosaurs and other archosaurs. They are the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates and an example of a complex evolutionary novelty. They are among the characteristics that distinguish the extant birds from other living groups.

feather

Noun

1. A branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds, used for flight, swimming, protection and display.
2. Long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse, especially a draft horse, notably the Clydesdale breed. Narrowly only the rear hair.

Verb

1. To cover or furnish with feathers; to fletch.
2. To adorn, as if with feathers; to fringe.

plume

Noun

1. A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.
2. A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

Verb

1. To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
2. Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence , to prepare for (something).