Ornithology Glossary

noun a very small barb or pointed projection on a feather or fish scale

• The barbule is a small, branching structure found on feathers.
• I learned about barbules in my biology class - they help feathers stay connected.
• Check out the cool barbules on this bird's feather!
• The barbules of society are what hold us all together in times of need.

noun a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers used by a bird for display or worn by a person for ornament

verb to spread out in a shape resembling a feather or plume

• The bird's colorful plume was a sight to behold.
• She wore a plume in her hair for the party.
• Check out the plume on that car, it's so cool!
• The smoke plume from the factory symbolized pollution in the area.