eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Feathers aren’t just for the birds. They make for some snazzy décor around the home. Colored feathers can add glamor and pizazz, while those in their natural hue give your place a rustic look. You can decorate with feathers with a little imagination and a few simple steps. more »
Ostrich feathers have been used in decoration since ancient Egyptian times. Tutankhamen and Cleopatra are believed to have used the plumes in fans and other ornamentation. Ostrich feathers make exotic and elegant centerpieces that are popular for weddings and all sorts of other events and celebrations. They dye well and come in a... more »
Learning how to make a magnet book is a wonderful way of making an educational toy specifically geared toward your child’s current needs. Whether it is shapes, letters, numbers, animals, colors, or words that your child is learning about, when you incorporate them into a homemade magnet book you reinforce all the learning that... more »
Nesting boxes provide a quiet, comfortable place for your chickens to lay eggs. They should be lined with bedding so hens will enjoy using them, they will stay clean, and eggs are protected from damage. There are several choices of bedding that you can use to line your boxes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. more »
Chickens that are newly hatched are called baby chicks. They are a popular attraction with children and adults alike. Sometimes offered for sale in the spring at feed and hardware stores, the baby chicks require special care until they reach a certain age. The decision to welcome one of these little darlings into your home should not... more »
Pet birds are lovely, charming companions, but they do require a great deal of care in order to...
You've decided which bird species is a good match for your household. Now, what else will you...
There are over 300 species of parrots in all, some of them quite spectacularly beautiful, and...
Placing fun and quirky ornaments in your yard adds a touch of whimsy, while stately concrete...
Feathers are a beautiful part of nature that often go unnoticed for their creative and utilitarian qualities. From beautiful red pheasant feathers... more »
With their luxurious and bright feathers, it's no wonder that peacocks are associated with vanity and a bit of animal arrogance. The feathers of a... more »
Male peafowl, or peacocks, are famed for the elaborate displays that they create with their fanned feathers. This enchantingly beautiful behavior... more »
The large bird from Down Under has been dubbed one of the most usable animals. Indeed, people seem to find uses for everything from the beak to... more »
Whether they are used for home decoration, arts and crafts, or fashion accessories, peacock feathers make a bold statement. Over time, dust and... more »
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates.Prum2002>"Prum2003"> Prum, R.O., & Brush, A.H. (March 2003). "Which Came First, the Feather or the Bird?" Scientific American, vol.288, no.3, pp. 84-93 They are among the outstanding characteristics that distinguish the extant Aves from other living groups. Feathers have also been noticed in Theropoda which have been termed feathered dinosaurs. However, there are also some scientists who disagree with the interpretation of feathered dinosaurs"Feduccia et al. 2005"> Feduccia, A., T. Lingham-Soliar & J.R. Hinchliffe (2005). "Do Feathered Dinosaurs Exist? Testing the Hypothesis on Neontological and Paleontological Evidence" Journal of Morphology, vol.266, pp. 125-166, pointing out instead that birds and some theropods are only convergently similar. Although feathers cover most parts of the body of birds, they arise only from certain well-defined tracts on the skin. They aid in flight, thermal insulation, waterproofing and coloration that helps in communication and protection.pettingill>
Structure and characteristics
Feathers are among the most complex integumentary appendages found in vertebrates and are formed in tiny follicles in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, that produce keratin proteins. The β-keratins in feathers, beaks and claws — and the claws, scales and shells of reptiles — are composed of protein strands hydrogen-bonded into β-pleated sheets, which are then further twisted and crosslinked by disulfide bridges into structures even tougher than the α-keratins of mammalian hair, horns and hoof. The exact signals that induce the growth of feathers on the skin are not known but it has been found that the transcription factor cDermo-1 induces the growth of feathers on skin and scales on the leg.
Classification
There are two basic types of feathe read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather
Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:
How to Make Fingerprint Powder
How to Be a Good Step-Parent
Concealer Wedding Makeup Tips for Black Women
How to Get Fired Gracefully
How to Stop a Shopaholic
How to Drive Defensively During the Holidays
Wonders of the World
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
