Weird and Wonderful Emu Feathers!

There are many people who come right out and say that emus and other ratites are not even birds because they differ in so many weird ways.

Even their feathers are weird. Normal bird feathers "zip" together and keep their shape because the tiny vanes in each feather have interlocking barbs. Ratite feathers don't have this feature. This makes their feathers much softer, almost like strange hair. Here's another weird thing: emu feather shafts have TWO feathers attached, not just one! Amazing!!

Emu feathers are wonderful for many different uses, including the feather duster below. They are used in jewelry, hair extensions, flower arrangements, fishing lures, and of course, hat accents! Did you know that Australians enjoy putting an emu feather in a hat and calling it a kangeroo feather?! :D They love to try to get tourists to believe them, and the funny thing is, there are lots of people who actually believe it! :D :D

If you would like to know more about emu feathers, I found a very nice page here: Red Oak Farm: Learning About Emu Feathers