SafekipediaWhat Is Humphrey–Parkes Terminology?
Humphrey–Parkes terminology is a special way to name the feathers on birds. It helps scientists talk about bird feathers clearly. This system was made by two people named P. S. Humphrey and K. C. Parkes. Before this, people used different names and made mistakes. Now, everyone uses the same names.
Bird Feathers and Their Names
When a bird has its regular feathers after changing them, we call this basic plumage. These are the feathers birds wear most of the time. Some birds change a few feathers before they start breeding. These special feathers are called alternate plumage. If a bird has even more kinds of feathers, they are called supplemental plumage. The first feathers a baby bird has are called juvenal or juvenile plumage.
Changing Feathers
When a bird changes its feathers, it is called a molt. There are different kinds of molts, like prebasic or prealternate, depending on which feathers will come next. Young birds get numbers to show which set of feathers they are wearing, like first basic plumage, until they become full adults.
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