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Flight Feathers


A Red Kite in Flight
A Red Kite in Flight
Photographer: Thomas Kraft


Flight Feathers are the long, asymmetrically shaped feathers on the wings and tails of birds.



The feathers on the wings are called remiges and those on the tail are called rectrices. Their main use is to aid in the generation of both thrust and lift, enabling birds to fly.



Associated Terms: Remex, Rectrix



Also see:
Plumage
Covert



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