Birds and Their Feathers; Britta Teckentrup

This is the first book that I have read by acclaimed author Britta Teckentrup and it is absolutely breathtaking.

There is something magical about finding a feather on the ground, it is like picking up a special treasure that has been left as a gift from nature. Even as an adult, I cannot help but getting excited and giddy when I find a feather (my most recent find, a beautiful white feather from a cockatoo).

This is a truly impressive read that is a detailed study and exploration of bird’s feathers. Teckentrup explores everything relating to feathers: construction, colour, function, features, types, size, evolution and even mythology. The world of feathers is fascinating and Britta Teckentrup delivers a book that is rich in scientific information and exquisitely illustrated. Young readers will love poring over the illustrations whilst older children will be fascinated by the science. I know my four-year-old niece will just love this book and as she grows up she will love learning about the importance of feathers.

Teckentrup gently introduces readers with an explanation of ‘Plumology’, the study of bird feather science, before venturing into specific feathery facts. She does an excellent job of providing detailed yet concise explanations and her writing is perfectly pitched to make everything accessible to young readers. I particularly enjoyed reading about how feathers determine the flight patterns of birds, that feathers support the woodpecker as it climbs trees and that feathers can be used to carry water. Not only essential to birds, feathers are important to humans too as Teckentrup highlights how they have been used since the Stone Age and their use in clothing today. We also learn how the observation of birds and flight contributed to the development of the first flying machines and readers will no doubt be fascinated to learn that there is even a feather on the moon.

Beautifully presented and published on thick, quality paper, Birds and their Feathers is a book that deserves to be left out on the coffee table for friends and family to regularly admire.

Essential reading for all bird lovers, both young and old.

Recommended for 7+.