feather

A feather is a structural specialized covering found on birds, made of lightweight keratin. It provides insulation, helping birds maintain body temperature, and enables flight through its aerodynamic shape. Feathers also play a role in waterproofing, camouflage, and courtship displays. They grow from specialized skin structures called follicles and are periodically replaced through molting. Feathers are unique to birds and some extinct dinosaur relatives, showcasing remarkable diversity in size, shape, and function tailored to each species' ecological needs.