DATA ON FEATHER CURVATURE OF THE OSTRICH

In terms of white feathers of an ostrich male, we showed that average length of a feather, measured in stem arc, is equal to 71.20 ± 3.65 сm, and chord length is equal to 49.20 ± 1.83 cm. Curvature index, equivalent to ratio between these values, was equal to 1.47 ± 0.12 on average. Variation of curvature index falls within limits from 1.21 to 1.83, which are figures based on feather configuration, where minimal value points to medium arched stem, in the same time maximal value is typical for feathers with spiral bending.

Keywords: Ostrich Struthio camelus; male feather; curvature index; spiral symmetry.