Plume vs. Feather — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 3, 2024
Plumes are long, soft feathers used for display, whereas feathers are the outer covering of birds, essential for flight and insulation.
Difference Between Plume and Feather
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Plumes are distinguished by their decorative role, often found in birds' mating displays, signaling health and vitality. Whereas feathers, comprising various types including flight, down, and contour feathers, play critical roles in birds' flight, temperature regulation, and protection against environmental factors.
Plumes are typically longer and more flexible, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate patterns to attract mates or deter predators. On the other hand, feathers are structured to provide aerodynamic efficiency for flight, with a robust shaft (rachis) supporting barbs that interlock to form a solid surface.
While plumes are mostly associated with ornamental or signaling purposes in birds like peacocks and birds of paradise, feathers are universal in the avian world, serving as essential components for flight, weather resistance, and camouflage among all bird species.
Plumes, being a subset of feathers, are not found on all birds, indicating their specialized role in certain species' life cycles, especially during mating seasons. Feathers, however, are a fundamental characteristic of birds, necessary for their survival across various habitats and climates.
Despite their differences, both plumes and feathers undergo molting, a process where birds shed old feathers to make way for new growth, ensuring optimal condition for display or flight efficiency. This regeneration process highlights the importance of both plume and feather maintenance for a bird's health and functionality.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Decorative, used for display and mating
Flight, insulation, and protection
Presence
Not present in all birds
Present in all bird species
Structure
Long, soft, often colorful
Varied structures, including stiff quills for flight
Types
Generally considered a single type
Includes flight, contour, and down feathers
Role in Survival
Signaling health and vitality
Essential for flight, temperature regulation
Compare with Definitions
Plume
Molting.
Even the most ornate plumes need to be molted and replaced for the bird's display to remain effective.
Feather
Insulation.
Penguins rely on their dense feathers for insulation in frigid waters.
Plume
Soft and Flexible.
The dancer’s costume was adorned with soft plumes that fluttered gracefully.
Feather
Variety.
The owl’s feathers are specialized for silent flight during nocturnal hunts.
Plume
Decorative Feather.
The bird of paradise sports vibrant plumes to attract mates.
Feather
Flight.
Eagles have powerful flight feathers that enable them to soar high.
Plume
Sign of Health.
A bird’s bright plumes can indicate good health and genetic quality.
Feather
Molting.
Birds undergo molting to replace old feathers, ensuring optimal flight and insulation.
Plume
Used in Ornaments.
Traditional hats were often decorated with plumes for an elegant appearance.
Feather
Protection.
Feathers protect birds from environmental hazards and predators.
Plume
A feather, especially a large and showy one.
Feather
Feathers are epidermal growths that form a distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on dinosaurs, both avian (bird) and some non-avian (non-bird) and possibly other archosauromorphs. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates and a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty.
Plume
A large feather, cluster of feathers, or similar ornament worn on a helmet, hat, or horse's harness.
Feather
One of the light, flat structures growing from the skin of birds, consisting of numerous slender, closely arranged parallel barbs forming a vane on either side of a horny, tapering, partly hollow shaft.
Plume
A token of honor or achievement.
Feather
A feathery tuft or fringe of hair, as on the legs or tail of some dogs.
Plume
A mass or stream of material that resembles a long feather:a plume of smoke.
Feather
Character, kind, or nature
Birds of a feather flock together.
Plume
An area or section of air, water, or soil containing pollutants released from a point source.
Feather
A strip, wedge, or flange used as a strengthening part.
Plume
(Geology)An upwelling of molten material from the earth's mantle.
Feather
A wedge or key that fits into a groove to make a joint.
Plume
To decorate, cover, or supply with a plume or plumes:"Her black velvet hat was plumed with a spray of violets"(Jim Rasenberger).
Feather
The vane of an arrow.
Plume
To smooth or clean (feathers) with the bill or beak; preen.
Feather
A feather-shaped flaw, as in a precious stone.
Plume
To congratulate (oneself) in a self-satisfied way:plumed himself on his victory.
Feather
The wake made by a submarine's periscope.
Plume
To rise or emanate in a plume:Smoke plumed from the chimney.
Feather
The act of feathering the blade of an oar in rowing.
Plume
A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.
Feather
To cover, dress, or decorate with feathers or featherlike projections.
Plume
A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.
Feather
To fit (an arrow) with a feather.
Plume
(figurative) A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.
Feather in one's cap
Feather
To thin, reduce, or fringe the edge of (wood, for example) by cutting, shaving, or making thinner.
Plume
The part]] of a feather, especially when on a quill pen or the fletching of an arrow.
Feather
To spread (paint, for example) thinly at the edges so as to blend with the surrounding area.
Plume
Things resembling a feather.
Feather
To shorten and taper (hair) by cutting and thinning.
Plume
A cloud formed by a dispersed substance fanning out or spreading.
After the explosion, a plume of smoke could be seen in the sky for miles around.
The pollutant creates a contaminant plume within an aquifer.
Feather
To blur or soften the edge of (an image).
Plume
An upward spray of mist or water.
Feather
To apply (a brake, throttle, or other control) gently or slightly and steadily.
Plume
(astronomy) An arc of glowing material (chiefly gases) erupting from the surface of a star.
Feather
To turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal as it is carried back after each stroke.
Plume
(botany) A large and flexible panicle of an inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.
Feather
To alter the pitch of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are parallel with the line of flight.
Plume
(geology) reaches]] the lithosphere
Feather
To alter the pitch of (the rotor of a helicopter) while in forward flight.
Plume
(zoology) A body part resembling a feather.
Feather
To turn off (an aircraft engine) while in flight.
Plume
To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
Feather
To grow feathers or become feathered.
Plume
Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence (figurative), to prepare for (something).
Feather
To move, spread, or grow in a manner suggestive of feathers
“Steam feathered out from under the bathroom door” (Melinda Hayes).
Plume
To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate.
He plumes himself on his skill.
Feather
To become thin or less dense at the edges
“That lipstick had feathered out in the corners of her mouth” (Erin McCarthy).
Plume
To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.
Feather
To feather an oar.
Plume
(by extension) To peel, to strip completely; to pillage; also, to deprive of power.
Feather
To feather a propeller.
Plume
Of a hawk: to pluck the feathers from prey.
Feather
A branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds, used for flight, swimming, protection and display.
Plume
(intransitive) Of a dispersed substance such as dust or smoke: to fan out or spread in a cloud.
Smoke plumed from his pipe, then slowly settled towards the floor.
Feather
Long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse, especially a draft horse, notably the Clydesdale breed. Narrowly only the rear hair.
Plume
A feather; esp., a soft, downy feather, or a long, conspicuous, or handsome feather.
Wings . . . of many a colored plume.
Feather
One of the fins or wings on the shaft of an arrow.
Plume
An ornamental tuft of feathers.
Feather
A longitudinal strip projecting from an object to strengthen it, or to enter a channel in another object and thereby prevent displacement sideways but permit motion lengthwise; a spline.
Plume
A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers.
His high plume, that nodded o'er his head.
Feather
Kind; nature; species (from the proverbial phrase "birds of a feather").
Plume
A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward.
Feather
One of the two shims of the three-piece stone-splitting tool known as plug and feather or plug and feathers; the feathers are placed in a borehole and then a wedge is driven between them, causing the stone to split.
Plume
A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.
Feather
The angular adjustment of an oar or paddle-wheel float, with reference to a horizontal axis, as it leaves or enters the water.
Plume
To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or prink.
Pluming her wings among the breezy bowers.
Feather
Anything petty or trifling; a whit or jot.
Plume
To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel.
Feather
Partridges and pheasants, as opposed to rabbits and hares (called fur).
Plume
To adorn with feathers or plumes.
Feather
(rail) A junction indicator attached to a colour-light signal at an angle, which lights up, typically with four white lights in a row, when a diverging route is set up.
Plume
To pride; to vaunt; to boast; - used reflexively; as, he plumes himself on his skill.
Feather
To cover or furnish with feathers; to fletch.
Plume
A feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament
Feather
To adorn, as if with feathers; to fringe.
Plume
The light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
Feather
To arrange in the manner or appearance of feathers.
The stylist feathered my hair.
Plume
Rip off; ask an unreasonable price
Feather
To rotate the oars while they are out of the water to reduce wind resistance.
Plume
Be proud of;
He prides himself on making it into law school
Feather
(aeronautics) To streamline the blades of an aircraft's propeller by rotating them perpendicular to the axis of the propeller when the engine is shut down so that the propeller does not windmill during flight.
After striking the bird, the pilot feathered the damaged left engine’s propeller.
Plume
Deck with a plume;
A plumed helmet
Feather
To finely shave or bevel an edge.
Plume
Clean with one's bill;
The birds preened
Feather
(computer graphics) To intergrade or blend the pixels of an image with those of a background or neighboring image.
Plume
Form a plume;
The chimneys were pluming the sky
The engine was pluming black smoke
Feather
(intransitive) Of written or printed ink: to take on a blurry appearance as a result of spreading through the receiving medium.
Plume
Dress or groom with elaborate care;
She likes to dress when going to the opera
Feather
(transitive) To render light as a feather; to give wings to.
Feather
(transitive) To enrich; to exalt; to benefit.
Feather
(transitive) To tread, as a cockerel.
Feather
To move the cue back and forth along the bridge in preparation for striking the cue ball.
Feather
To accidentally touch the cue ball with the tip of the cue when taking aim.
Feather
(transitive) To touch lightly, like (or as if with) a feather.
Feather
(transitive) To move softly, like a feather.
Feather
One of the peculiar dermal appendages, of several kinds, belonging to birds, as contour feathers, quills, and down.
Feather
Kind; nature; species; - from the proverbial phrase, "Birds of a feather," that is, of the same species.
I am not of that feather to shake offMy friend when he must need me.
Feather
The fringe of long hair on the legs of the setter and some other dogs.
Feather
A tuft of peculiar, long, frizzly hair on a horse.
Feather
One of the fins or wings on the shaft of an arrow.
Feather
A longitudinal strip projecting as a fin from an object, to strengthen it, or to enter a channel in another object and thereby prevent displacement sidwise but permit motion lengthwise; a spline.
Feather
A thin wedge driven between the two semicylindrical parts of a divided plug in a hole bored in a stone, to rend the stone.
Feather
The angular adjustment of an oar or paddle-wheel float, with reference to a horizontal axis, as it leaves or enters the water.
Feather
To furnish with a feather or feathers, as an arrow or a cap.
An eagle had the ill hap to be struck with an arrow feathered from her own wing.
Feather
To adorn, as with feathers; to fringe.
A few birches and oaks still feathered the narrow ravines.
Feather
To render light as a feather; to give wings to.
The Polonian story perhaps may feather some tedious hours.
Feather
To enrich; to exalt; to benefit.
They stuck not to say that the king cared not to plume his nobility and people to feather himself.
Feather
To tread, as a cock.
Feather
To grow or form feathers; to become feathered; - often with out; as, the birds are feathering out.
Feather
To curdle when poured into another liquid, and float about in little flakes or "feathers;" as, the cream feathers.
Feather
To turn to a horizontal plane; - said of oars.
The feathering oar returns the gleam.
Stopping his sculls in the air to feather accurately.
Feather
To have the appearance of a feather or of feathers; to be or to appear in feathery form.
A clump of ancient cedars feathering in evergreen beauty down to the ground.
The ripple feathering from her bows.
Feather
The light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
Feather
Turning an oar parallel to the water between pulls
Feather
Join tongue and groove, in carpentry
Feather
Cover or fit with feathers
Feather
Turn the paddle; in canoeing
Feather
Turn the oar, while rowing
Feather
Grow feathers;
The young sparrows are fledging already
Common Curiosities
Can a feather serve the same purpose as a plume?
Feathers can have decorative aspects, but plumes specifically refer to those used primarily for display.
Do all feathers help in flight?
Not all feathers are used for flight; some serve for insulation, camouflage, or display.
Is there a difference in structure between plumes and other feathers?
Plumes are generally softer and more flexible, while other feathers have structured designs for specific functions.
What is the main function of feathers in birds?
Feathers provide flight, temperature regulation, and protection against environmental elements.
Are plumes found on all birds?
No, plumes are not present in all birds and are typically found in species where display plays a significant role.
How do birds use their plumes?
Birds use plumes for mating displays, to attract mates or assert dominance.
What distinguishes a plume from a feather?
A plume is a decorative feather used for display, while feathers include various types essential for flight, insulation, and protection.
Are plumes only decorative?
Primarily, yes, though they can also signify health and genetic quality.
How do feathers contribute to a bird's camouflage?
Feathers can match the environment, helping birds blend in and evade predators.
Do plumes and feathers undergo molting?
Yes, both plumes and feathers are replaced through molting to maintain their condition.
Can humans use plumes and feathers?
Yes, both have been used in decorations, fashion, and cultural ceremonies.
How do plumes affect a bird's survival?
Plumes can affect survival by influencing mating success and, indirectly, genetic diversity.
Do plumes play a role in flight?
Generally, plumes are not designed for flight but for display and signaling purposes.
Are there specific birds known for their plumes?
Yes, birds like peacocks and birds of paradise are renowned for their spectacular plumes.
Why do birds molt their feathers?
Molting allows birds to replace damaged or worn feathers, crucial for their flight and insulation capabilities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
