Lines & Matter

Lines & Matter · Field guide

Birds

Feathers do much more than make flight possible. Their fine structures can shed water and trap an insulating layer of air. A bird’s plumage is equipment for everyday survival, as well as its most familiar feature.

A question to exploreHow can the same covering help a bird fly and stay warm?

Read more: Cornell Lab of Ornithology ↗
Decorative natural-history illustration for birds

For learning and art, not identification or safety advice. Guide use & limitations

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About poison, venom & responsible observation

Poisonous organisms can cause harm when toxins are swallowed or absorbed. Venomous organisms deliver toxins through a bite, sting, or other wound. A species can be both. An absent annotation never means safe to handle or eat.

Read the Natural History Museum explanation ↗