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

This occurs because the development of the contour feather begins before that of the mesoptyles has completed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various

A wing feather and a contour feather of an ordinary and a silky fowl.

From Mendelism Third Edition by Punnett, Reginald Crundall

Of what use are the hooklets on the barbules?State and explain the peculiar position of the shaft of the primary feather; of that of a contour feather.

From A Guide for the Study of Animals by Lucas, Frederic