Compare And Contrast Powder And Oil-Based Feathers

The Differences and Similarities of Powder Versus Oil Based Feathers

Did you know there are actually two groups of feathers? The field of ornithology is not one often studied among non-bird lovers; if one were to state the aforementioned fact, that there is not only one group of feathers in existence, many would reply in shock. However, it is indeed true; the two different groups of feathers are the powder-based feathers and the oil-based feathers, which both have their similarities and differences in regards to each other. Powder-based feathers and oil-based feathers compare and contrast much in their ways of preservation, species of birds they include, climate in which they appear, and their color variations.

Powder, as well as oil, work to preserve and protect feathers in an even …show more content…
Both powder-based and oil-based birds can make an appearance in any climate, whether it be tropical or arctic. They are not forced into a respective area of the world; for example, the Goffin cockatoo (a powder-based bird) from Indonesia shares its habitat with the Dusky Lorikeet (an oil-based bird). Even though this is so, oil-based birds tend to live in a more wet and tropical climate than powder-based Birds, who tend to stay in dry climates. The reason behind this phenomenon is climate adaptation; as per Beauty of Birds, “The Bird’s Oil Gland”, some bird species-those that are less likely to bathe or immerse themselves in water-produce feather dust instead of oil glands”. Bird species with not much access to water, such as birds in hot, dry climates like Australia, have feathers that have adapted to the dry weather and produce less waterproof feathers as a result. Differing from powder-based birds, birds with access to or even an over abundance of water adapt to the humid, damp environment and their feathers become more waterproof in order to enable