People Are Finding Out How Bird Feathers Grow & This Is Not Something I Needed To Know
"Feather unboxing."
First, we found out what bird ears look like. Now, people are discovering how bird feathers grow.
A video posted by TikTok user @shelbythemacaw showing how pin feathers grow on a macaw has gone viral.
The feathers develop within follicles, which are tubular structures embedded in the bird's skin.
Here's a glimpse of how they look on a macaw:
Image via @shelbythemacaw (TikTok)
The caption of the video describes what a pin feather is and how it forms.
"A pin feather, often seen in parrots and other birds, is a new feather that is in the process of growing and developing.
"Pin feathers, also known as blood feathers, form within a protective casing. This casing is made of keratin, the same material as the feather itself, and it initially envelops the entire emerging feather.
"As the feather grows, it pushes its way out of the casing, which often appears as a waxy tube. These emerging feathers are easily recognisable due to their thin, elongated appearance," the caption reads.
Image via @shelbythemacaw (TikTok)
When it's time to molt, birds will shed and regrow their feathers
According to the caption, parrots (and other birds) in the wild engage in social grooming, which includes helping each other with hard-to-reach pin feathers.
"[Molting] is essential for birds to maintain healthy plumage, which is crucial for flight, insulation, and even social signalling," it reads.
Even though the video is educational, many have been humorously commenting that they didn't really need to learn about this
You can watch the full video below (or choose not to and spare your eyes):
Once you know that bird ears exist, it's hard to unsee them as well:
Speaking of social grooming, these two cats took it a tad bit too far:
Read more fun facts on SAYS:
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