Are Mute Swan feathers special?

                                                                    Photos by BarrytheBirder

Mute Swan featers are special due to their immense quantity (approximately 25,000), incredible insulating density, and waterproofing capabilities that protect them in cold, aquatic environments.   The pure white plumage is actually quite thin compared to others, but they are ptrotected by a thick, soft down layer underneath.   They are alsohistorically significant  as the source of "pen quills".

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BarrytheBirder