Bird feathers, which evolved from the scales of reptiles, perform the same function that reptile scales do – they protect a bird in a variety of ways – from the harmful rays of the Sun, from rain, and from injury to their delicate skin.
They also have the remarkable ability to trap air, thus insulating birds from the cold. There are also feathers on the wings of a bird, which help it to fly. Some birds also use their own feathers to line their nests. Ptarmigans, birds that live in the snow, have feathers on their feet that act like snowshoes!
These special feathers help the birds from falling through deep snow. This bird changes its feathers three times a year, to help it to camouflage itself as the seasons change.
The sand grouse, a desert bird, dips its feathers into water and then flies to its chicks, who suck the water off the feathers when they are thirsty!
Picture credit: google