1. (ornithology, uncountable) The feathers covering the body of a bird collectively.
2. (by extension)
   1. (archaic, uncountable) Feathers used ornamentally; feathering; (countable) a bunch or tuft of such feathers; a plume.
   2. (falconry, uncountable, obsolete) Feathers which are fed to a hawk to cause it to regurgitate, for the purpose of cleaning its crop; a casting.
3. (figurative, uncountable)
   1. A person's dress, especially when elaborate or fine.
   2. A person's external appearance, especially when showy.

Today, the second Saturday of May in 2026, is the first of the two World Migratory Bird Days in the year. These days were established by the Secretariats of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to highlight the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats. In addition, yesterday was the 100th birthday of the English broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough, who was born 8 May 1926.

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