As I walk out in our fields I often find bird feathers. Usually of hawks or blackbirds. I bring them home, wash them and collect them in a vase.<\/p>\n
For some time, I have left behind the feathers I thought were defective.<\/b><\/p>\n
The only feathers I valued were the symmetrical, \u201cperfect\u201d feathers, because I thought the unevenly shaped feathers were faulty or broken.<\/p>\n
But I soon realized that I was not seeing broken feathers, but different feathers.<\/b><\/p>\n
I did some research and discovered that there are many types of feathers with varying shapes and sizes according to their intended purpose.<\/p>\n
They weren\u2019t defective at all.<\/p>\n
The tail feathers I had associated with the traditional symmetrical fan shape, are used for precision steering during flight.<\/p>\n
The feathers I had rejected because of their uneven shape are the wing feathers with a\u00a0 <\/span>shorter, less flexible leading edge that prevents midair twisting.<\/p>\n Contour feathers are more nearly round and fluffier and act as an airfoil by smoothing over where the flight feathers attach to the bone.<\/p>\n Other feathers are different in size and shape according to their purpose. Some insulate. Others sense the position of other feathers, or protect the bird\u2019s eyes and face.<\/p>\n All different shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n All parts of the same bird.<\/p>\n All needed.<\/p>\n
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