Eider ?
- Thread starter J.Russell
- Start date
Keith Mueller
Active member
Hi J.,
the feathers that you are referring to are known as "sails" or "thorns", and are actually "post humeral" feathers. Their placement is located after or "post" scapular group at the rear or posterial feather tracts or "pterylea" of the scapulars. These feathers (aka sub-scapulars) are stiffer feathers that support the entire scapular feather group in flight, diving, etc. They are also used for courtship displays in the eider species (genus Somateria). The female has smaller and shorter "thorns" and although they are usually covered by the scapulars, they are often visible.
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the feathers that you are referring to are known as "sails" or "thorns", and are actually "post humeral" feathers. Their placement is located after or "post" scapular group at the rear or posterial feather tracts or "pterylea" of the scapulars. These feathers (aka sub-scapulars) are stiffer feathers that support the entire scapular feather group in flight, diving, etc. They are also used for courtship displays in the eider species (genus Somateria). The female has smaller and shorter "thorns" and although they are usually covered by the scapulars, they are often visible.
View attachment Resized_IMG_5032.jpg
View attachment Resized_IMG_7481.jpg
View attachment Resized_IMG_8720e.jpg
Last edited:
Bill Embacher
Well-known member
I see a decoy in that sleeper....man is she purrrty!