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contour featherclick to hear

Large rigid feather of the wings and tail enabling flight.
contour feather inferior umbilicus superior umbilicus barb rachis calamus afterfeather vane

inferior umbilicus click to hear

Opening of the shaft located at the lower portion of the calamus; it is implanted in the skin.

superior umbilicus click to hear

Opening of the shaft located at the juncture of the calamus and the rachis.

barb click to hear

Each of the self-adhering filaments implanted on each side of the rachis.

rachis click to hear

Solid corneous upper portion of the shaft of the contour feather; it is an extension of the calamus and the barbs are attached to it.

calamus click to hear

Hollow corneous anterior portion of the shaft of the contour feather extending through the rachis.

afterfeather click to hear

Small soft light feathers usually located at the base of the main feathers on the abdomen; they help to insulate the body.

vane click to hear

All the interconnected barbs on the same side of the rachis forming a waterproof surface.