There are different types of animals in the world: mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, crustaceans, among many others. Although each species has particular characteristics that help it survive in its environment, the different types into which animals are divided also share traits that have contributed to their classification. Among these traits are the feathers, do you know which species they belong to?
On our site we present you this article about feathered animals and share a list with names and curiosities. Find out what they are!
What are the animals with feathers?
When you think of feathers, what animals come to mind? Surely you remember species such as the duck, the hen, the hummingbird or the nightingale. Now do only birds have feathers? The answer to this is yes in the Currently only birds have feathers, this is a trait that allows a species to be included in the group of birds.
However, it has been shown that, in the past, some species of dinosaurs also developed feathers and the birds we know descended from them. Today there is still no definitive conclusion about what motivated the change from scales to feathers (thinking about crocodiles, other prehistoric creatures), the different theories plan that it could be due to an evolutionary processto allow the flight of those species of dinosaurs that moved over the tops and branches of the trees by jumping, while others point to thermal protection or attraction mechanisms during the mating season.
Despite this, there is evidence that points to the dinosaurs belonging to the group of theropods, such as the famous velociraptor, among the primitive ancestors of modern birds. This conclusion was strengthened in 1996, when a Sinosauropteryx fossil was discovered with thin filaments covering its body. The feathers of this specimen would have evolved from the scales. Similarly, in 2009 a fossil of Tianyulog, a species from the Cretaceous, was discovered with samples of bristles on its back.
What are feathers for?
Feathers are important elements when flying, but this is not the only function they fulfill. What are feathers for? Next, we detail it for you.
A feather is made of keratin and is an epidermal structure, that is, it forms part of the skin. Keratin is the protein responsible not only for shaping feathers, but also nails, hair and scales. Like these, the feather is "dead", that is, it is not attached to the body through blood vessels. Accidents that occur as a result of cutting feathers or nails occur when an inexperienced person makes the cut at the level of the nerve.
The set of feathers is called plumage and, although they play an important role in flight, not all birds fly, so that is not the only function they fulfill. These are some of them:
- Provide propulsion and speed during flight (primary feathers).
- Hold the air during the flight so that the bird can stay (secondary feathers).
- Eliminate o Reduce turbulence during flight (stiff feathers or alula).
- Direct the flight (tail or tail feathers).
- Provide dynamism and support (cover feathers).
- Proteger during the different seasons and times of life (there is a winter plumage, more abundant and less conspicuous, and a bridal, colorful and striking, used for the reproductive season).
- Distinguish between males and females (occurs in those species where there is sexual dimorphism, that is, the physical characteristics vary between males and females).
- They allow camouflage (the plumage of some species simulates the colors found in their habitat).
- Drive away predators (the bright color of some plumages is a defense method, as it indicates that the species could be dangerous).
Now that you know what feathers are for, we'll tell you about some animals with feathers and curiosities about them.
List of feathered animals
You already know what the animals with feathers are, that is, the birds, so we present you with various curiosities about some of them. Examples of animals with feathers:
- Cuckoo
- Hummingbird bee
- Mandarin Duck
- Flemish
- Shoebill
- Superb Lyrebird
- Toucan
- Peacock
1. Cuckoo
The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a bird that can be found in Asia, Europe and Africa. The females of this species practice what is called laying parasitism, a curious way of raising chicks: taking into account the size and color of other birds, the female looks for the nest of another species to leave hers without it being noticeable. To do so, he gets rid of one of the eggs of the bird he parasitizes to leave his own. The purpose of this is that, when hatching, the baby cuckoo will throw the rest of the eggs and only she will be fed.
two. Bee Hummingbird
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is a species that lives in Cuba and is the smallest bird in the world It is characterized by present a red and blue plumage in males, while females show green and bluish tones. This hummingbird only reaches 5 centimeters in adulthood.
If you want to know all the types of hummingbirds that exist, don't miss this article.
3. Mandarin Duck
Without a doubt, one of the most exotic feathered animals, the mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is a bird native to China, Siberia and Japan, but it is now also found in Europe. The particularity of the species lies in a marked sexual dimorphism: the females have chestnut or brown plumage with some cream or white areas, while the male exhibits a combination unheard of and unique colors, a mixture of cream, bright green, blue, coral, purple, black and auburn.
4. Flemish
Under the name of flamingo, several species of the genus Phoenicopterus are named, characterized by their elongated legs, long and slender neck and their pink plumage However, did you know that this color of the feathers is a product of food? At birth, flamingos are white, but their diet is based on the consumption of seedlings and crustaceans, which contain large amounts of carotenoids, an organic pigment that provides the characteristic color of their plumage.
For more details, don't miss this article: "Why are flamingos pink?".
5. Shoebill
The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is one of the most curious feathered animals that exist, as it is a species of bird of the pelican order that draws attention for its peculiar appearance It has a huge beak whose shape resembles a shoe, a fact that originated its funny name. Little is known about its habits or its population, as it rarely leaves the African swamps where it lives.
6. Superb lyrebird
The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is a bird native to Australia. It is a singing species that stands out above others of this type because it is capable of imitating sounds as incredible as the click of a camera shutter or the noise What does a chainsaw do? Likewise, it is curious for its peculiar appearance, especially that of the males, which have a very striking tail due to the variety of their plumage.
If you want to know more curious Australian animals, don't miss this article.
7. Toucan
Under the name of toucan is included the birds of the family Ramphastidae, birds that inhabit a wide territory, ranging from Mexico to Argentina. Beyond the beautiful colors that characterize them, they show a curious behavior during the mating ritual: both males and females tend to take or throw food and branches.
8. Peacock
The peacock (Pavo cristatus) is a bird that can be found in Asia and Europe. Its most unique feature is the wonderful and colorful plumage that the males present, characterized by their blue and green colors. However, there is an even more impressive version, the white peacock This plumage is the product of a recessive gene and only appears after very well selected crosses.
Flying Animals with Feathers
Although feathers are essential elements during flight, there are some animals with feathers that do not fly, they are the flightless birds. These are some of the most curious and striking:
- Kakapo
- Penguin
- Ostrich
- Kiwi
- Cassowary
- Mancon Cormorant
1. Kakapo
The kakapo (Strigops habroptila) is a species of flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. It is a nocturnal bird that measures 60 centimeters and weighs about 4 kilos. It has moss green and black plumage.
There are currently less than 200 living individuals, so the IUCN has considered the species Critically Endangered Your The main threat is the introduction of non-native invasive species into its habitat. Due to their inability to fly, they are easier prey to catch than other animals.
two. Penguin
Under the name of penguins, several species of the genus Sphenisciforme are included. They live in the Galapagos Islands and much of the northern hemisphere. Although they can't fly, penguins are good swimmers and even use their wings to propel themselves out of the water when fleeing from predators.
3. Ostrich
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest and heaviest bird in the world, reaching 180 kilos. However, this does not represent a problem for the species, as it is capable of reaching 90 km/hour running in the sheets of Africa. Thus, this feathered animal holds two great records, since in addition to being the largest bird, it is the fastest bird on land If you want to know the fastest bird in flight, check out this article: "What is the fastest bird in the world?".
4. Kiwi
The kiwi, belonging to the genus Apteryx, is a chicken-sized bird found in New Zealand. It is a feathered animal omnivorous with nocturnal habits Although it does not fly, it has very small wings. As a curious fact, we can say that the species is the official animal of New Zealand.
5. Cassowary
This is a genus of birds that includes three species that live in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Cassowaries have a curious appearance: long legs, a somewhat oval body full of feathers and a long neck. Likewise, they usually measure about 2 meters and weigh around 40 kg.
6. Greater Cormorant
And we finish the list of animals with feathers that don't fly with the one-armed cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), an endemic bird of the Galapagos Islands. It is characterized by a curious reproductive system, the polyandrous mating, which means that a female reproduces with several males, and by her small wings.
Do you know other species of animals with curious feathers that you would like to share? Leave your comment!
