sharing our knowledge.
Photographic gallery.  Thousands of particles under the microscope.
Duck Down (Anatidae) Under the Microscope

Duck Down Barbule

Transmitted Off Crossed Circular Polarized Light

Definition/Function:

KINGDOM: Animalia PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves ORDER: Anseriformes FAMILY: Anatidae SUBFAMILY: Anatinae GENUS: Anas SPECIES:

Significance in the Environment:

Characteristic Features:

Duck down barbules are characterized by a few triangular nodes on the last third of the barbule followed by a few prong nodes. Goose down is similar but there are typically more triangular nodes starting a little sooner on the barbule and the distance between nodes is greater.

Associated Particles:

References:

Dove, Carla J. and Sandra L. Koch, "Microscopy of feathers: a practical guide for forensic feather identification", THE MICROSCOPE, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 51-71, 2011

Click here for more information about the Mallard Duck.