rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryplumageFeather covering
noun

plumage

PLOO-mij/ˈpluːmɪdʒ/

A bird's feathers considered together.

The mallard's colorful plumage includes a green head, brown breast, and blue wing patch.

A male mallard duck standing naturally in three-quarter side view with green head, brown breast, patterned gray body feathers and blue wing patch; render the overlapping feathers as its complete plumage, with just a tiny ground shadow.
Etymology
plumLatinsoft feather, down
+ageFrenchcollection

The feather root and collective ending describe feathers taken together: a bird’s entire covering rather than an individual feather. This collective meaning was already present in early English use.

In context

Nature's Moments160:29
A charismatic bird with colorful plumage and a long curved beak.
The Most Dangerous Predators of Africa | FULL EPISODE | Wildlife Documentary

More examples

  • The duck keeps its plumage clean by preening.
  • Young gulls have different plumage from adults.
  • Some birds develop brighter plumage during the breeding season.

Forms

plumage

Similar words

feathers
Can refer to individual feathers rather than the whole covering.
down
Specifically the soft, insulating feathers beneath the outer covering.