contour feather

American  

noun

Ornithology.

1. one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird, including those of the wings and tail but excluding such specialized types as downs and filoplumes.

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contour feather British  

noun

1. any of the feathers that cover the body of an adult bird, apart from the wings and tail, and determine its shape

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Etymology

Origin of contour feather

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

"However, it could be a covert or a contour feather, especially since the latter are not well known in Archaeopteryx."

From Fox News

Sleek contour feathers over thick down, pearls of water running over white feathers thick and curled as paper sculpture.

From New York Times

He was so close she could hear his contour feathers buzz in the wind.

From Literature

The down-feathers are generally completely hidden by the contour feathers: they form in many birds, such as gulls and ducks, a thick underclothing comparable to the under-fur of mammals such as the seals.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the down and contour feathers were removed to allow the preservative to reach the skin.

From Project Gutenberg