Ologies with Alie Ward Plumology (FEATHERS) with Allison Shultz
Mar 31, 2020
Learn about the world of bird feathers from professional plumologist Dr. Allison Shultz. Topics include fossilized dinosaur feathers, silent owl flight, bird legs, pigeon noises, peacock tails, feather thieves, Vantablack feathers, and birdwatching. Dive into the intriguing world of feathers with insights on plumage, coloration, and the evolution of bird species.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Feathers Evolved from Scales
- Feathers evolved from reptile scales and are more related to scales than to hair despite both being keratin-based.
- Birds still have scales on their feet, showing the evolutionary link with feathers.
Feathers Preceded Flight
- Feathers did not evolve for flight but were co-opted for it later.
- We can reconstruct dinosaur colors by studying pigment molecules in feather structures.
Feather Anatomy and Repair
- A feather's main shaft is the rachis, with branching barbs and tiny barbules.
- Hooks called barbicels connect barbules, enabling feathers to zip back together like velcro.