Pinfeather: meaning, definitions and examples
🐦
pinfeather
[ ˈpɪnˌfɛðər ]
bird development
A pinfeather is a young feather that has not yet fully grown or emerged from its sheath, often appearing as a thin, quill-like structure on a bird. It is primarily observed during the molting or feather development stages in birds. During this phase, birds may experience discomfort as these pinfeathers fill with blood and develop into mature feathers. Pinfeathers are crucial for the growth of a bird's plumage, affecting its insulation and ability to fly.
Examples of usage
- The chick was covered in soft down and had several pinfeathers starting to emerge.
- The bird preened its pinfeathers carefully to relieve some of the discomfort.
- During molting season, the pinfeathers can be especially sensitive.
- She noticed that the parakeet had quite a few pinfeathers coming in.
Translations
Translations of the word "pinfeather" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pluminha
🇮🇳 पिनफेदर
🇩🇪 Federchen
🇮🇩 bulu halus
🇺🇦 пухова пір'їна
🇵🇱 piórko
🇯🇵 羽毛の端
🇫🇷 plumet
🇪🇸 pluma pequeña
🇹🇷 tüy parçası
🇰🇷 깃털의 끝
🇸🇦 ريشة صغيرة
🇨🇿 peříčko
🇸🇰 períčko
🇨🇳 小羽毛
🇸🇮 peresce
🇮🇸 fjaðr
🇰🇿 жұмсақ қауырсын
🇬🇪 პატარა ფრთა
🇦🇿 kiçik tüklü
🇲🇽 pluma pequeña
Etymology
The term 'pinfeather' originates from the combination of 'pin' and 'feather'. The word 'pin' comes from the Old English 'pinn', meaning a small pointed piece of metal, which relates to the shape of the young feather. 'Feather' itself comes from the Old English 'feðer', which is derived from Germanic roots that describe bird plumage. This term began to be used in ornithology and bird-watching contexts as scientists and bird enthusiasts sought to describe the various stages of feather development in birds. The pinfeather stage is particularly important in the life cycle of birds, as it signifies the transition from juvenile to adult plumage, marking a significant phase in their growth and ability to adapt to their environments.