Feathered Flight — 150 years of Archaeopteryx

Up to this day, the Archaeopteryx feather remains the only and the oldest single feather from the Jurassic period.

Birds evolved from feathered dinosaurs. Compared to budgerigars, it is hard to imagine how they would relate to dangerous raptors. But compared to an ostrich, similiarities become clearer.

Birds of all shapes and sizes have managed to inhabit the most diverse habitats on Earth. Experts estimate that the Earth is home to 300,000,000,000 (three hundred billion!) birds in total.

Feathers are complex structures and characteristic for modern birds. They vary in shape, colour and function and are as diverse as their wearers.

Like hair and nails, feathers consist of keratin, which is produced by specialised cells in the epidermis. These keratinize and then die, leaving behind very strong keratin structures.

Down from the trees or up from the ground?
How did birds‘ flight evolve?

The keel-shaped sternum (breastbone) is where the powerful flight muscles attach to the body. Not feathers, but this anatomical structure is the main prerequisite for flight.

A bird‘s flight depends on having feathers – they give it its streamlined form and are what enable the bird to fly thanks to their aerodynamic properties.

Rueppell's vulture (Gyps rueppellii): The feathers on the alula and tail which can be controlled by the muscular system when flying enable agile flight manoeuvres and landing.

Large gliding birds such as the sea eagle fan out the feathers on their wing tips during flight – this leads to a lower resistance, thus saving energy.

The more a feather is worn, the poorer its aerodynamic properties. Various factors such as wind and sun,and even the pigmentation of the feather affect the way it wears down.

Decorative feathers are no use for flying and seem to be more of a hindrance – so why has evolution still produced them in all shapes and colours?

Sexual selection: In the mating season, the male great argus spreads out his huge feathers and shows off the colourful iridescent eyespots on the underside of the feathers to attract hens.

Impressive tail feathers

The ptarmigan is a master of camouflage – its plumage has a different colour to fit the season: in winter snow-white and in summer speckled black and brown.

Down feathers as winter dress: Birds are warm-blooded animals and their feathers play a crucial role in regulating the body temperature – especially in sub-zero temperatures.