Question

Distinguish between vanes, barbs and barbules.

Answer 1

The portion of the shaft of the feather above the skin, from which the smaller barbs, is termed the rachis. On each side of the rachis, there is a set of filaments, called barbs, which come off at approximately a 45º angle. This portion of the feather that has barbs is called the vane. In the larger feathers, these barbs have two sets of microscopic filaments called barbules. Barbules from one barb cross the adjacent barbs at a 90º angle.