Single barb from a down feather. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Rows of filaments, known as barbs, project from either side of the rachi

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Single barb from a down feather. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Rows of filaments, known as barbs, project from either side of the rachis (central shaft) of a feather. Along the length of each barb are smaller filaments, known as barbules. Downy feathers insulate a bird. Very young birds are clad only in down. Magnification: x250 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4839px × 3611px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomical, anatomy, animal, barb, barbs, barbules, biological, biology, bird, body, coloured, downy, electron, false-coloured, fauna, feather, feathers, insulation, micrograph, microscope, nature, rachis, scanning, sem, shaft, structure, zoological, zoology