benefits and behaviors of birds related to the shape and color of feathers. How essential are they?

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The feathers are composed of dead cells that contain the same material as our nails.

The largest feathers are found on the wings and tail, they are used to fly and give the birds their aerodynamic shape. They are known as contour feathers.
Others are small and spongy and act as insulators of cold and water. They are known as insulating pens. They also help regulate body temperature.

Mottled feathers and muted colors blend with their surroundings, hiding them from their enemies and prey. The brightly colored feathers help communicate with other members of the same species and also make them very striking for predators.

The chicks are usually covered with insulating feathers and, as they develop, the feathers of the tail and wings grow and the insulating feathers fall to be replaced.

chicks under developmentSource

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Qualities of birds related to their feathers.

Among the birds that use their plumage as a mechanism of camouflage is the snowy owl. The snowy owl is also known as the white owl. With its wings extended, it has a wingspan of 120 to 150 cm and measures 53 to 65 cm in length. They are from the coldest regions of America and Europe, of places where snow predominates. This habitat is perfect for the snowy owl. The white of its plumage helps it blend in with its surroundings, and that makes it one of the hunters most likely to succeed in terms of getting its food.

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Other birds use their feathers to woo the females of their species, as is the case with the common peacock. A species of bird (galliform) of the family (Phasianidae), measures from 100 to 150 cm and can weigh from 4 to 6 kg. The males of this species are specialized seducers. The feathers of the tail are long and are accompanied by eyes and beautiful colors. When they prepare to seduce a female of their species, they raise their tail forming a majestic fan that they use to impress the female, the turkey with the largest and most colorful fan will stay with the females and will be the territorial leader. They depend on their tail to attract the females of their species.

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Another bird like the cuckoo. Alcansa 34 cm long when adding the tail, the wingspan is 55 to 60 cm.
The female of this species of bird lays its eggs in nests of other birds known as passerines to be incubated and reared by them, therefore they are classified as parasitic birds. The structure and color of its feathers are similar to those of the hawk, a quality that helps keep predators at a distance.

cuckooSource.HawkSource

Studies show that birds use feathers in their nests as a measure of protection since they have antibacterial effects..

The birds use the feathers to keep the nest isolated from external climates, but the studies carried out in swallows' nests by researchers from the Department of Functional and Evolutive Ecology of Arid Zones Experimental Station of the Superior Council of Scientific Research (EEZA-CSIC), in Almería , show that the feathers that swallows use for their nests have antibacterial effects that minimize the amount of bacteria found in the nest.

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The biologist and researcher Cristina Ruiz Castellano, It says that there are bacteria that feed on keratin, material from which the feathers are composed. These bacteria compete for food and space, so they secrete a substance to eliminate or minimize the amount of pathogenic microorganisms found in feathers and egg shells. This is beneficial because these pathogens cross the egg shell and cause diseases to the new descendants.

In the middle of the investigations it was shown that preferably they use white feathers (without pigment) because they have more nutrients than colored feathers (pigmented), in this way the population of bacteria that feed on keratin is bigger and form a protective barrier in the nest.

The feathers undoubtedly form a fundamental role in the life of birds, both in behavior, appearance and health.

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I hope you liked this content. @nicomax.

references:
http://www.agenciasinc.es/Noticias/Las-plumas-tienen-un-efecto-antibacteriano-en-la-construccion-de-nidos
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubo_scandiacus
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavo_cristatus
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluma
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuculus_canorus
https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2714827/0/demuestran-efecto-antibacteriano-plumas-construccion-nidos/