A feather is a soft, flexible, and lightweight plume of tissue found in some birds. There are several different terms that are used to refer to a feather: a primary feather, a secondary feather, a pinfeather, a quill feather, a barbed feather, and a barbule. Feathers are formed from the contour feathers of the bird's wing or tail and may be arranged as an adult structure or as a juvenile structure. In some species of birds some feathers have been modified into specialized displays such as those of some raptors
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A small number of birds have feathers which have been modified into anemone-like structures for mating displays. Other birds such as penguins and puffins have stiff bristles attached to their feathers which can be used for cleaning fish and similar items.