The earliest-known bird may have soared ancient skies on four wings. Feathers covered the legs of Archaeopteryx, a creature that lived 150 million years ago and had wings like modern birds but teeth ...

Other than covering up their naked bodies, what are a bird’s feathers for? Feathers are responsible for more than just a bird’s ability to fly, they provide weather protection. Feathers make a bird ...

PULLMAN, Wash. -- The ancient inhabitants of the American Southwest used around 11,500 feathers to make a turkey feather blanket, according to a new paper in the Journal of Archaeological Science: ...

It’s hard to imagine birds without their feathers. From the vibrant coats of tropical parrots to the rainbow of browns worn by sparrows and house finches, feathers make it possible for birds to fly, ...

Quick Take Vulturine guinea fowl’s blue and white plumage comes from feather structure, not pigments, creating vivid, long-distance visual signals. Bright colors and high-contrast patterns help ...