flight feather
noun
: one of the quills of a bird's wing or tail that support it in flight compare contour feather
Examples of flight feather in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers detected the first evidence in Archaeopteryx of a group of flight feathers called tertials, which grow along the humerus between the elbow and the body and are an important component of all powered flight in modern birds.
—
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Until now, hummingbirds have drawn the most attention for their iridescent plumage and flight feathers that allow for ultrafast wingbeats.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
In flight feathers, the barbs interlock like Velcro teeth to form the smooth, windproof surface of the vanes.
—Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
The contour feathers that streamline a bird’s body, for example, have vaned tips like flight feathers and noninterlocking barbs like down ones.
—Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Flamingos are distinguished by their pink-colored plumage and black flight feathers on their wings, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
However, trimming flamingos flight feathers is considered by many to be inhumane, according to the American Bird Conservancy.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
The reason some may believe flamingos cannot fly is because flamingos in zoos often have their flight feathers trimmed.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Unlike flight feathers, these have a very short stem.
—Joseph Albanese, Outdoor Life, 26 May 2020
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Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
Until now, hummingbirds have drawn the most attention for their iridescent plumage and flight feathers that allow for ultrafast wingbeats.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
In flight feathers, the barbs interlock like Velcro teeth to form the smooth, windproof surface of the vanes.
—Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
The contour feathers that streamline a bird’s body, for example, have vaned tips like flight feathers and noninterlocking barbs like down ones.
—Michael B. Habib, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Flamingos are distinguished by their pink-colored plumage and black flight feathers on their wings, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
However, trimming flamingos flight feathers is considered by many to be inhumane, according to the American Bird Conservancy.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
The reason some may believe flamingos cannot fly is because flamingos in zoos often have their flight feathers trimmed.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Unlike flight feathers, these have a very short stem.
—Joseph Albanese, Outdoor Life, 26 May 2020
Cite this Entry
“Flight feather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flight%20feather. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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