Down feathers are the first feather types that appear in both the phylogenetic and the ontogenetic history of birds. Although it is widely acknowledged that the primary function of downy elements is insulation, little is known about the interspecific variability in the structural morphology of these feathers, and the environmental factors that have influenced their evolution. Here, we collected samples of down and afterfeathers from 156 bird species and measured key morphological characters that define the insulatory properties of the downy layer. We then tested if habitat and climatic conditions could explain the observed between-species variation in down feather structure. We show that habitat has a very strong and clearly defined effect ...
Tropical bird species are characterised by a comparatively slow pace of life, being predictably diff...
Down feathers are remarkable insulating materials that reputedly have the greatest warmth-to-weight ...
Variation in feather melanism and microstructure can arise through sexual selection and ecological f...
Down feathers are the first feather types that appear in both the phylogenetic and the ontogenetic h...
1.Studies modelling heat transfer of bird plumage design suggest that insulative properties can be a...
1.Studies modelling heat transfer of bird plumage design suggest that insulative properties can be a...
1. Body feathers ensure both waterproofing and insulation in waterbirds, but how natural variation ...
1. The functional significance of intra- and interspecific structural variations in the flight feath...
The plumage of birds is important for flying, insulation and social communication. Contour feathers ...
Insulation is an essential component of nest structure that helps provide incubation requirements fo...
Natal down is a crucial aspect of a bird's reproductive success. These downy feathers vary considera...
Insulation is an essential component of nest structure that helps provide incubation requirements fo...
Natal down is a crucial aspect of a bird's reproductive success. These downy feathers vary considera...
Urbanization is one of the strongest habitat transforming processes today that has resulted in chang...
The plumage of birds is important for flying, insulation and social communication. Contour feathers ...
Tropical bird species are characterised by a comparatively slow pace of life, being predictably diff...
Down feathers are remarkable insulating materials that reputedly have the greatest warmth-to-weight ...
Variation in feather melanism and microstructure can arise through sexual selection and ecological f...
Down feathers are the first feather types that appear in both the phylogenetic and the ontogenetic h...
1.Studies modelling heat transfer of bird plumage design suggest that insulative properties can be a...
1.Studies modelling heat transfer of bird plumage design suggest that insulative properties can be a...
1. Body feathers ensure both waterproofing and insulation in waterbirds, but how natural variation ...
1. The functional significance of intra- and interspecific structural variations in the flight feath...
The plumage of birds is important for flying, insulation and social communication. Contour feathers ...
Insulation is an essential component of nest structure that helps provide incubation requirements fo...
Natal down is a crucial aspect of a bird's reproductive success. These downy feathers vary considera...
Insulation is an essential component of nest structure that helps provide incubation requirements fo...
Natal down is a crucial aspect of a bird's reproductive success. These downy feathers vary considera...
Urbanization is one of the strongest habitat transforming processes today that has resulted in chang...
The plumage of birds is important for flying, insulation and social communication. Contour feathers ...
Tropical bird species are characterised by a comparatively slow pace of life, being predictably diff...
Down feathers are remarkable insulating materials that reputedly have the greatest warmth-to-weight ...
Variation in feather melanism and microstructure can arise through sexual selection and ecological f...