Meeting Abstract

P2-33.5  Sunday, Jan. 5  The structure and function of feather microstructures related to silent flight in owls. FEO, TJ*; MATLOFF, LY; CHANG, E; JEFFRIES, L; STOWERS, AK; THOMSON, C; LENTINK, D; Smithsonian Natural History Museum; Stanford University; Stanford University; Stanford University; Stanford University; Stanford University FeoT@si.edu

The flight feathers of owls have several notable features that have long been associated with silent flight including a stiff leading vane comb, flexible vane fringe, and a soft, velvety dorsal surface. However, the precise mechanisms by which these feather features contribute to silent flight is still unclear. Here, we present high resolution CT scans of owl flight feather microstructure obtained from the Advanced Photon Source facility at Argonne National Labs. These scans provide unprecedented insight into the 3D structure and orientation of feather microstructures associated with silent fight. Comparisons of feather microstructure and function with bird species that have noisier flight shed light on possible mechanisms that contribute to reduced sound production during owl flight.