powder down

noun

modified down feathers that continually crumble at the tips, producing a fine powder that forms a bloom on the plumage of certain birds, as pigeons and herons.

He laughed and shouted heartily at the contrivance, and hurled the victim of their wasted powder down among them.

Hind toe elevated above plane of others; no powder down patches; bill not hooked at tip.

Powder-down feathers are degenerate down-feathers which appear to secrete a dry, waxy kind of powder.

There are several different kinds of feathers—contour feathers, semiplumes, down-feathers, filoplumes and powder-down.

The powder-down patches of the oil bird are upon each side of the rump.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse