"Most previous studies suggest that insulation might have been the primary function for the first feathers, but our discovery supports that display represents one of the earliest functions for ...

Journal of Avian Biology, Vol. 41, No. 3 (MAY 2010), pp. 342-347 (6 pages) Migration causes temporal and energetic constraints during plumage development, which can compromise feather structure and ...

If you took a careful look at the feathers on a chicken, you'd find many different forms within the same bird -- even within a single feather. The diversity of feather shapes and functions expands ...

Bird tails are complex structures that give us clues about bird flight and bird behavior. Knowing the variety of tail patterns helps us to identify birds, so let's talk bird tails. A bird's tail ...

Etelka is a post-doctoral research fellow exploring aerosol science with biology and engineering.View full profile Etelka is a post-doctoral research fellow exploring aerosol science with biology and ...

The earliest known bird had flight feathers on its legs that allowed it to use its hindlimbs as an extra pair of wings, a new study finds. The finding, detailed in the current issue of the journal ...

Morphology in sexually dimorphic species is related to increased opportunity for sexual selection when traits reflect individual quality. In socially monogamous species, it may function to increase ...

A study into the aerodynamic performance of feathered dinosaurs has provided new insight into the evolution of bird flight. In recent years, new fossil discoveries have changed our view of the early ...