One of the peculiar dermal appendages, of several kinds, belonging to birds, as contour feathers, quills, and down.

Kind; nature; species; -- from the proverbial phrase, "Birds of a feather," that is, of the same species.

A tuft of peculiar, long, frizzly hair on a horse.

To grow or form feathers; to become feathered; -- often with out; as, the birds are feathering out.

A growth from the skin of a bird that acts as insulator, decoration, and aid to flight.

the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

A specialized structure that covers the body and is found only in birds. Feathers may be modified for insulation, flight, courtship, and other functions.

Outer plumage of a bird (usually a duck or goose) used as a lofty, supportive fill for pillows and featherbeds and in conjunction with down to fill comforters.

Body covering of birds.

Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds. They are the outstanding characteristic that distinguishes the Class Aves from all other living groups. Other Theropoda also had feathers (see Feathered dinosaurs).