powder down

English

Noun

powder down (uncountable)

1. A special type of down that occurs in a few groups of apparently unrelated birds. In some species, the tips of the barbules on the feathers disintegrate, forming fine particles of keratin; in others, powder grains come from cells that surround the barbules of growing feathers.

   All parrots have powder down.

See also

• pulviplume