plumage

Everyday

Plumage is all the feathers of a bird, their colours and patterns. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, male birds often have brighter plumage to attract females, while females are duller to hide on the nest (peacocks, mallards). Birds moult and grow new plumage. Young birds have juvenile plumage. In stories, bright plumage describes beautiful or showy birds.

Examples

• The peacock showed off its colourful plumage. tree →
• The male mallard has bright green plumage on its head. tree →
• In winter the ptarmigan's plumage turns white. tree →
• The parrot's plumage was red, blue and yellow. tree →
• Young gulls have brown plumage. tree →
• Birds clean their plumage with their beaks. tree →
• He sat quiet and unconscious of his gay plumage. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no a plumage. Said PLOO-mij. Related: plume (one big feather). A formal word for feathers.