Fancy decorative feathers or golden pheasant feathers are one of the many things you can add to your garden or patio. You can choose from a variety of different types of feathers. These include down, contour, semiplumes, and bristles. Each has its purpose. When choosing which type of feathers to use, it’s important to consider a few factors.
Filoplumes
A filoplume is a fancy decorative feather with a rudimentary barb at its end. Unlike other feathers, they are confined to the apex of the shaft and are not as easy to remove. Filoplumes are most common around mechanically active feathers.
In general, the filoplume’s main function is to signal to the brain about the position of a feather. For example, suppose you have a bird trying to find its wings. In that case, a filoplume sends messages to the brain about the optimal position for the feather and even the optimal direction for the movement. Moreover, they help in fine-tuning remiges during flight.
Another fancy feather is a powder down. This type of feather is usually found in patches, with the tips of the barbs crumbling into powder when the bird is a bit. Powder downs are also known for their ability to distribute throughout the bird’s underside.
Contour feathers
Fancy decorative feathers come in all sorts of natural and subtle colors. They include golden pheasant tail feathers, decorative rooster feathers, and ostrich plumes.
Feathers add femininity and luxury to your interiors. They are also great for jewelry, hair braid kits, and exotic costumes. Many farmers raise birds for food, clothing, and feather accessories. Those accessories are likely obtained from birds that have been killed for their skin, meat, and feathers.
The feathers of different birds can be used on clothing, furniture, artwork, and sculptural elements. They also can be used on party tables and place cards.
Contour feathers are the first level of defense for a bird against the wind, light, and physical objects. Their barbs and tiny hooks provide structure for camouflage and decoration.
Bristles
If you are in the market for fancy decorative feathers, then there are a few things you need to know before snagging the best of the lot. One of the most important is the quality of the quill itself. A top-notch quill will be a delight to the eyes and the fingers of the hands that will be holding them.
It can make for an exciting conversation starter. The best feathers are found in open-habitat foraging species like coccidia. While most fancy feathers are unassuming, some are a sight to behold. Interestingly, they are also helpful for insulation and camouflage.
For the winged creature in your life, the most common feathers are the wing tips. These are a little trickier to dress up and require some TLC.
Semiplumes
There are several types of fancy decorative feathers. One of the most common is the semiplume. These are a hybrid between down and contour feathers. They are very soft, have no barbs, and are typically hidden beneath the outer feathers. Their central shaft is quite strong, though.
Another feather is the filoplume. This is a hair-like feather with a fine shaft. It has no typical contour feather barbs and ends in a small cluster at the tip. In the wild, filoplumes are most numerous around mechanically active feathers.
The contour feather is a network of loosely branching structures that follow the bird’s shape. These feathers are helpful in supporting camouflage, insulation, and decoration.
The semiplume is an intermediate feather type that fills the aerodynamic and thermal isolation niches. It has a strong, well-formed central shaft and a fluffy insulating structure.
Down feathers
Down is a soft, fluffy, and light undercoating found in many waterfowl. It is used for bedding, pillows, and other decorative purposes. A down comforter is usually filled with down, but it can also be a blend of feathers and down.
Down is a soft, three-dimensional cluster of fibers that interlock and form a network in all directions. Down feathers are a natural insulator, helping to keep a person warm. They are also known for their elasticity, making them easy to compress.
Feather and down can be confused, but down can be easily separated from its quill point. The down quills can poke through pillow encasements and cause discomfort. For this reason, it is recommended to use a down pillow protector.
When choosing a down product, you should also consider the fill power. A higher fill power indicates a more substantial down cluster. However, this does not mean better quality.