Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Structural and Mechanical Differences between Original and Replaced Feathers in Blackcaps Sylvia Atricapilla

de la Hera, Ivan ; Hedenström, Anders LU ; Perez-Tris, Javier and Luis Telleria, Jose (2010) In Ardeola 57(2). p.431-436
Abstract
Many bird species are able to replace accidentally lost feathers out of the normal moulting periods, but whether such replaced feathers are able to restore the original mechanical properties of the plumage has not been evaluated before. In this study we analysed the structure and mechanical behaviour of the original and replaced feathers of 12 blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla. Replaced feathers showed wider rachis and greater density of barbs, but were lighter, shorter and less stiff than original feathers. These results suggest that replaced feathers are not able to fully restore the original functionality of feathers.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Ardeola
volume
57
issue
2
pages
431 - 436
publisher
SEO/BirdLife
external identifiers
  • wos:000286503400014
  • scopus:85007545228
ISSN
0570-7358
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
856d213e-4ed6-411d-9c0a-298bd3bb844d (old id 1811508)
alternative location
http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/bcv/pdf/2010_Ardeola_57_431.pdf
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:33:19
date last changed
2024-01-09 15:08:04
@article{856d213e-4ed6-411d-9c0a-298bd3bb844d,
  abstract     = {{Many bird species are able to replace accidentally lost feathers out of the normal moulting periods, but whether such replaced feathers are able to restore the original mechanical properties of the plumage has not been evaluated before. In this study we analysed the structure and mechanical behaviour of the original and replaced feathers of 12 blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla. Replaced feathers showed wider rachis and greater density of barbs, but were lighter, shorter and less stiff than original feathers. These results suggest that replaced feathers are not able to fully restore the original functionality of feathers.}},
  author       = {{de la Hera, Ivan and Hedenström, Anders and Perez-Tris, Javier and Luis Telleria, Jose}},
  issn         = {{0570-7358}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{431--436}},
  publisher    = {{SEO/BirdLife}},
  series       = {{Ardeola}},
  title        = {{Structural and Mechanical Differences between Original and Replaced Feathers in Blackcaps Sylvia Atricapilla}},
  url          = {{http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/bcv/pdf/2010_Ardeola_57_431.pdf}},
  volume       = {{57}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}