Fast Facts: Birds (Part 6)

Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope!

I’m Carl Kerby, and we’re talking about bird feathers.

Did you know that God created Velcro?  Yep, that’s essentially how bird feathers work.  Looking at a feather under a microscope, you’ll see barbs and barbules that fit together perfectly allowing birds to fly.  When they become disconnected, birds are able to reattach them, just like Velcro.

Birds actually have 3 main types of feathers: flight, sensory, and down feathers. Flight feathers have a Velcro-type structure, keeping them stiff. The sensory and down feathers don’t have “Velcro,” making them fluffy, soft, and good for insulation. 

Feathers are like fingernails in that once they’re fully developed, they’re dead matter.  But each of the feathers have tiny muscles attached to their base allowing them to be moved individually.

Fact is, each feather is an amazing creation, but our time’s up.  Hope you liked the birds.  Join us next time for more Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope. 

Until then … stay bold!

Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.

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