Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: lean bean on 10/07/2013 18:00:05

Title: Do bird feathers grow back?
Post by: lean bean on 10/07/2013 18:00:05

Today, a crow took off in front of me and when it was about 20ft high, one of its large tail feathers just seem to come away from the bird and float to the ground.
I did wonder about would the bird regrow another feather?

Title: Re: Do bird feathers grow back?
Post by: CliffordK on 11/07/2013 00:28:58

I think the feathers are somewhat like hair.  If you pull a hair, it will eventually grow back. 

You may read about Molting (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/allaboutbirds/studying/feathers/molting/document_view), in which birds shed their feathers, often annually, and regrow new feathers.

It is not uncommon to clip wing feathers on chickens (or other birds) to keep them from flying.  It usually is effective for quite some time, perhaps until the feathers would naturally be molted, and replaced.  However, it is quite possible that pulling the feathers rather than clipping them, they would regrow and be replaced quicker.

Title: Re: Do bird feathers grow back?
Post by: lean bean on 11/07/2013 18:21:51

Thanks clifford, That's an interesting page, and from elsewhere I found that crows moult once a year (although most in their Order moult twice a year).
Hope the crow gets its feather back by winter  otherwise its going to have a cold spot.