One feather does not resemble another. There are basically two types of feathers — down feathers, consisting of tufts of barbules — and contour feathers.
These include all feathers with a central shaft (rachis). The asymmetrical flight feathers are divided into remiges on the wings and rectrices on the tail.
In numbers they only make up a small proportion of a bird‘s plumage. A songbird may have up to 4,600 feathers. Smaller body feathers make up 99% of the total.
Primaries and Secondaries - Generation of lift
Greater upper wing coverts and Greater primary coverts - Coverage of the wing
Rectrices - steering and landing
Down feathers - isolation and shape
and small contour feathers