Crest (feathers)

Not to be confused with Backrest (disambiguation).

The Cockatiel - an example of a crested bird species

The crest is a prominent feature exhibited by several bird and dinosaur species on their heads.

Generally used for display purposes, crests can be fixed or erectile, depending on the species. For example, Cockatoos and Cockatiels possess crests which may be raised or lowered at will. Their crests are used to communicate with fellow members of their species, or as a form of defence to frighten away other species that approach too closely, making the bird appear larger when the crest is suddenly and unexpectedly raised.

The crest is made up of semiplume feathers: a long rachis with barbs on either side. These are plumulaceous feathers, meaning that they are soft and bendable. In birds, these semiplumes are common along the head, neck, and upper back, and may be used for buoyancy and sensing vibrations.

Gallery

• 

  Citron-crested Cockatoo crest feathers (on 1cm grid)

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  Umbrella Cockatoo displaying

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  Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

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  Northern Lapwing

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  Victoria Crowned Pigeon

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  Female Galah displaying

• 

  Macaroni Penguin

See also

• Crested penguin

This animal anatomy-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Cockatoos Feathers Bird stubs Animal anatomy stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную? Crest, Lassen County, California Crest (hydrology) Look at other dictionaries: Crest — may refer to: Contents 1 In science 2 In popular culture 3 In commerce 4 Places 5 Acronyms …   Wikipedia Crest — (kr[e^]st), n. [OF. creste, F. cr[^e]te, L. crista.] 1. A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on an animal s head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English Crest tile — Crest Crest (kr[e^]st), n. [OF. creste, F. cr[^e]te, L. crista.] 1. A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on an animal s head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English crest — ► NOUN 1) a comb or tuft of feathers, fur, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal. 2) a plume of feathers on a helmet. 3) the top of a ridge, wave, etc. 4) a distinctive heraldic device representing a family or corporate body. ► VERB 1)… …   English terms dictionary crest´like´ — crest «krehst», noun, verb. –n. 1. a tuft or comb on the head of a bird or animal. 2. a) a decoration of plumes or feathers on the top of a helmet. b) the apex or cone of a helmet. c) = helmet. (Cf. ↑helmet) 3. a decoration at the top of a coat… …   Useful english dictionary crest — crest1 [krest] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: creste, from Latin crista] 1.) the top or highest point of something such as a hill or a wave crest of ▪ It took us over an hour to reach the crest of the hill. 2.) a special picture that… …   Dictionary of contemporary English crest — 1 noun 1 (countable usually singular) the top or highest point of something such as a hill or a wave (+ of): He climbed over the crest of the hill. 2 (C) a special picture used as a sign of a family, town, school etc: the school colours and crest …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English crest — n. & v. n. 1 a a comb or tuft of feathers, fur, etc. on a bird s or animal s head. b something resembling this, esp. a plume of feathers on a helmet. c a helmet; the top of a helmet. 2 the top of something, esp. of a mountain, wave, roof, etc. 3… …   Useful english dictionary Crest (bird) — The crest is a prominent feature exhibited by several bird and dinosaur species on their heads. Fleshy crests are called cockscombs; this article discusses feather crests.Generally used for display purposes, crests can be fixed or erectile,… …   Wikipedia crest — 1. A ridge, especially a bony ridge. SEE ALSO: crista. 2. The ridge of the neck of a male animal, especially of a stallion or bull. 3. Feathers on the top of a bird s head, or fin rays on the top of a fish s head. SYN: crista [TA]. [L. crista] …   Medical dictionary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”