Those feathers are uniquely designed to help the bird fly, shed water, or display distinctive markings. When most birds fly, turbulence — created when air gushes over the surface of their wings — causes noise. How do feathers help birds fly? Birds may also use tail feathers to identify their coterie in flocks throughout the year and during migration. Birds survive in sub-zero weather by fluffing their feathers, creating layers of air and feathers. Feathers are unique in the animal kingdom. Their shape allows them to fly faster using less strength. An owl's primary feathers are serrated like a comb. Gold star, kid. A little dab'll do ya. For millennia, people have watched birds in the sky and wished we could fly, too. Do many birds die during stormy weather? Many birders are astonished at the wide variety of winter birds that visit their feeders even on the coldest days, and they may wonder "do birds get cold?" Do birds need their tail feathers to fly? Although it looks like feathers grow all over a bird, they actually grow in specific areas called feather tracks. Owls' wings, however, are unique because they reduce noise caused by turbulence. The tail helps to control the direction in which the bird flies. Fortunately, a bird’s outer layers of body feathers, known as contour feathers, prevent rain from penetrating toward its core. Feather Function: What do feathers do? Answer. Answer Save. Let's find out. Birds survive in sub-zero weather by fluffing their feathers, creating layers of air and feathers. Each facet of this type of motion, including hovering, taking off, and landing, involves many complex movements. Birds have beautiful feathers and lovely songs that bring joy and wonder to us humans. Birds’ feathers are light, strong and flexible. Favorite Answer. How do a birds feathers help a bird to fly? A Bird's wing and tail feathers form the shape of an aerodynamic lifting force that can be changed to change flight characteristics. The four forces of flight – weight, lift, drag and thrust – affect the flight of birds. Parrots are my favorite birds. The fine structure of contour feathers interlocks each feather with the next, creating a barrier to water, and keeping it from reaching the down feathers where birds trap air for warming insulation. And one of the things you do with a parrot to stop it flying away is to dock its flight feathers. Birds’ feathers also help them fly. While feathers are needed to fly they also have a lot of other uses. Bird flight is the primary mode of locomotion used by most bird species in which birds take off and fly.Flight assists birds with feeding, breeding, avoiding predators, and migrating. Wiki User August 28, 2014 5:01PM.