  
The Detailed Creation Of Bird Feathers
 At one time
or another, most people have probably run their fingers through
a bird's feather they found lying on the ground or caught
falling from a bird that was flying through the air. Probably
they have noticed the symmetrical structure of the feather,
the thinner structures of soft feathers coming off each side,
which look as if they interlock onto each other. In fact,
if they had the chance to examine this bird feather under
a microscope, their astonishment at the marvelous design before
them would increase even more.
In the middle part of the feather is a long, hard tube. The
barbs of the feather extend from both sides of this tube.
These feathers, whose lengths and softness vary, give the
bird the ability to use the air in the most suitable way.
In addition, when we go into further details, we encounter
even more interesting structures. Each barb has smaller strands
attached to them which are called "barbules" and
cannot be seen with the naked eye. These barbules are locked
together with tiny microscopic hooks called "hamuli."
By means of these hooklets, barbules are interlocked onto
their neighbors like a zipper.
On every single feather of a crane there are 650 barbs on
each side of the shaft. On each one of these barbs are 600
barbules. These barbules are tied together with 390 hooklets.
The hooklets are clamped together like two sides of a zipper.
These barbules, which lock onto their neighbors with hooklets,
are so close together that if smoke is blown onto the feather,
no smoke escapes to the other side. If the hooklets are unlocked
for some reason, it is enough for the bird to shake itself
or, in more severe cases, to straighten its feathers with
its beak, to make the feathers return to their previous state.
The structure of a bird's feathers is very important for flying.
The bird can fly because its wings don't allow the air to
pass through them.
Besides the detailed design in the birds' feathers, the rich
color diversity in them is striking as well. This diversity
occurs due to pigments present in the feathers which are stored
when the feather first starts to develop and also because
of light movements. The feathers, which are made up of keratin,
are renewed at certain intervals as they wear out in a very
short time due to environmental conditions. However, the bird
regains its colorful feathers each time. This is because the
feathers of a bird continue to develop until they reach the
necessary length, and attain the unique color and design typical
of its kind.
The countless diversity of color and patterns in the birds'
feathers, along with the detailed design of the wings, are
evidence which show us the magnificent artistry and knowledge
of Allah in creation.
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