tailfeathers
Avian rear feathers
Tailfeathers are the feathers at the rear end of a bird, forming the tail and serving crucial functions in flight, steering, and balance.
In many species, tailfeathers are also important for courtship displays, as with the peacock's elaborate fan.
The term extends figuratively to anything trailing behind or bringing up the rear.
He was shaking his tailfeathers on the dance floor uses the word playfully to mean buttocks or hips in motion.
Seeking another's romantic favor
- fanningCreating airflow manually
- struttingWalking with exaggerated pride
- peacockOrnate pheasant relative
- matingReproductive pairing behavior
ritual · attraction · signal · iridescence · spectacle · showmanship · preening · posturing
Ornamental feather or rising column
- headdressOrnamental head covering
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
- millineryCraft of hat design
regalia · decorative · fly-tying · lure · featherwork · costume · finery · embellishment
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- fanningCreating airflow manually
- struttingWalking with exaggerated pride
- peacockOrnate pheasant relative
mating · ritual · attraction · signal · iridescence · spectacle · showmanship · preening · posturing · dazzle
plume
Ornamental feather or rising column
- headdressOrnamental head covering
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
millinery · regalia · decorative · fly-tying · lure · featherwork · costume · finery · embellishment · pageantry
coverts
Concealing undergrowth or plumage
quills · keratin · molting · down · contour · pinfeather · hackles · fluff · preening · coloration
steering
Controlling direction of movement
- rudderPivoting stern blade
- bankingFinancial institution transactions
- glideMove with effortless continuity
soar · maneuver · braking · lift · aerodynamics · drag · airspeed · thermals · altitude · descent
tailfeatherswing feathers
flight feathers · primaries · secondaries · coverts · down feathers