Nevertheless, we recommend the inclusion of a qualitative or quantitative metric of P6 feather color pattern in classification analyses on the basis of field morphometrics (or digital photos of the
flight feathers).
(a) the same relative position that the testing samples are selected in the same proportion position on
flight feather shafts of the long-eared owl, pigeon, and golden eagle,
At necropsy each bird was examined for wing
flight feathers (remiges) and tail
flight feathers (retrices) that contained vascular pulp.
The last feather I found that day was a crow
flight feather, in remarkably good shape with little abrasion.
The little owl had lost several vital
flight feathers and was facing death without the imping operation, which is not usually carried out on wild birds.
As is true of almost all owls, finely fringed
flight feathers produce nearly silent flight, allowing an owl to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.
Unlike most birds, ducks lose all of their
flight feathers at once, rendering them flightless for a month or so.
To wing-clip a pigeon, extend a wing and clip off the ends of the longer
flight feathers, which are the biggest feathers extending back.
Upon studying the fossilized hatchling, scientists deduced that it already had a full set of
flight feathers. This reinforces the idea that enantiornithes birds hatched from the egg ready to fly.