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    GlossaryFeathers

    complex keratin structures on birds aiding in flight and insulation

    Feathers are complex, keratin-based structures that cover the bodies of birds, providing insulation, aiding in flight, and often playing roles in mating displays and camouflage. They consist of a central shaft (rachis) with barbs and barbules that interlock to form a flat surface, and they are periodically molted and replaced throughout a bird's life.

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