Feathers v Fur

[Wild-Woman]

I wonder which has the best insulating properties. I suspect feathers because a birds body, under it all, seems so much smaller. Are there any studies comparing feathers and fur?
Think of Eider feathers too.....

[Deb London]

According to David Attenborough you may be right:

"As insulators, feathers are even more efficient than fur. Only a bird--the penguin--can survive on the Antarctic ice-cap in winter, the coldest place on earth. The penguin's feathers are devoted entirely to this task. They are filamentous and trap the air in a continuous layer all round the body. This, reinforced by a thick coat of fat just beneath the skin, enables the hot-blooded penguins to stand about in a blizzard in temperatures of forty degrees below freezing and remain there for weeks on end, even without stoking their internal warmth with a meal."

I have a lovely coat filled with feathers that is a joy to wear in this weather.

[Wild-Woman]

Thanks Deb. What got me thinking initially about it today was when I was out on the reserve planting trees with students and I had wrapped myself in 4 layers and I was still freezing, I noticed a spritely male Stonechat nipping about in amongst the reedbed without a care. He was tiny and had just his feathers to clothe him but didn't seemed perturbed by the biting wind.

What an incredible thing that a birds comparably tiny form can be protected by these adaptations called feathers! The wonder of nature!
Going to make myself a chicken feather vest for tomorrow!

[AfternoonLemon]

Yes, easily feathers. The Emperor Penguin puts paid to any argument!

Mind you, Siberian Wolves can withstand temperatures down to -60 apparently. The difference is that they can eat and keep moving, not stand still with an empty belly

As for 'our' birds - sometimes I don't think we give them the credit they deserve for surviving harsh winters. Yes, any support is helpful to them, but they are incredibly enduring as it is.

[FUDGEY]

Id opt for fur, penguins huddle together

[Hobjob]

Polar Bears possibly?

Their hair is hollow for improved insulation.

[So are the fibres in my duvet but I still like the electric blanket!]