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two quail
Chromosomal Rearrangement Linked to Less Mobile Quail
The Scientist interviews evolutionary biologist Carles Vilà about how a large genomic inversion detected in common quail affects the birds’ physical characteristics and migratory behaviors.
Chromosomal Rearrangement Linked to Less Mobile Quail
Chromosomal Rearrangement Linked to Less Mobile Quail

The Scientist interviews evolutionary biologist Carles Vilà about how a large genomic inversion detected in common quail affects the birds’ physical characteristics and migratory behaviors.

The Scientist interviews evolutionary biologist Carles Vilà about how a large genomic inversion detected in common quail affects the birds’ physical characteristics and migratory behaviors.

feathers

Image of the Day: Feather Feeders
Emily Makowski | Dec 11, 2019 | 1 min read
These ancient insects ate dinosaur feathers during the Cretaceous period.
Image of the Day: Red-Feathered Finches
Emily Makowski | Sep 30, 2019 | 1 min read
Scientists uncover a potential reason why redder house finches have better health.
Pterosaurs Sported Feathers, Claim Scientists
Anthony King | Dec 17, 2018 | 4 min read
A controversy over pterosaurs’ plumage has taken off, with a new discovery pushing feather origins back 80 million years into the early Triassic.
Image of the Day: Shark Skin
Ashley Yeager | Nov 8, 2018 | 1 min read
Fish scales follow a model famed computer scientist Alan Turing developed to describe patterns observed in other animals’ feathers, spines, and scales.
a Archaeorhynchus spathula fossil
Image of the Day: Birds of a Lung
Shawna Williams | Oct 22, 2018 | 1 min read
A fossil from the Cretaceous Period shows similarities to modern avian species.
Image of the Day: Birds of a Feather
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jul 10, 2018 | 1 min read
Despite containing similar chemical pigments, red and yellow parrot feathers display distinct hues.
Image of the Day: 99-Million-Year-Old Blood Sucker
The Scientist and The Scientist Staff | Dec 13, 2017 | 1 min read
Scientists have found the oldest known specimen of a blood-sucking insect together with the remains of its host. 
Image of the Day: Stretchy Chicken Skin
The Scientist | Aug 25, 2017 | 1 min read
In a developing chicken embryo, skin cells pull on each other, forming multicellular mounds that eventually turn into properly-spaced feathers.
Dinosaur Feathers Found in Amber
Joshua A. Krisch | Dec 11, 2016 | 1 min read
The first-of-its-kind sample includes both vertebral segments and feathers.
Source of Scales, Feathers, Hair
Tanya Lewis | Jun 27, 2016 | 1 min read
Reptiles, birds, and mammals all produce tiny, bump-like structures during development.   
Color Clues in Dino Fossils
Karen Zusi | Aug 31, 2015 | 1 min read
Researchers confirm that some microscopic imprints in fossilized dinosaur feathers are pockets of melanin.
“Feathered Poodle From Hell” Dino Found
Kerry Grens | Jul 20, 2015 | 1 min read
A newly discovered relative of Velociraptor had abundant plumage and birdlike wings.  
Scales Over Feathers
Amanda B. Keener | Jun 3, 2015 | 1 min read
A comprehensive analysis of fossilized dinosaur skin samples suggests feathers were not the norm.
Avian-Inspired Color
Amanda B. Keener | May 26, 2015 | 2 min read
By taking cues from bird feathers, scientists engineer nanoparticle structures that produce striking colors.
Fossil Freshens Views on Dinosaur Feathers
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Jul 28, 2014 | 2 min read
A feather-covered herbivorous dinosaur offers a surprising perspective on plumage. 
Dinosaurs’ Shiny Black Feathers
Cristina Luiggi | Mar 9, 2012 | 1 min read
A 130 million-year-old winged dinosaur offers scientist the oldest evidence of iridescent feathers.
Ruffling Dinosaur Feathers
Cristina Luiggi | Sep 15, 2011 | 2 min read
Dinosaur and early bird feathers trapped in amber around 80 million years ago provide unprecedented insight into the evolution of plumage.
Early Bird Plumage
Cristina Luiggi | Sep 15, 2011 | 1 min read
After rummaging through thousands of amber inclusions housed at the University of Alberta and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Canada, researchers discovered 11 amber encased-feather fossils that provide the most detailed picture yet of early feather evolution.
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