Poultry Judging Practice Test

What term describes the distinct feather tracts of a bird that lie between featherless skin areas?

1. Reticulations

2. Pterylae

3. Stratum

4. Plicae

The correct answer is: Pterylae

The term that describes the distinct feather tracts of a bird that lie between featherless skin areas is pterylae. These feather tracts are organized regions on a bird’s body where feathers grow, and they play a vital role in the bird's insulation, camouflage, and flight capabilities. The areas of skin that lack feathers are often referred to as apteria. Understanding pterylae is crucial in poultry evaluation as it relates to the health and quality of feathers, which can influence overall bird quality as well as performance. In contrast, reticulations refer to a network or pattern and don't specifically correlate to feather tracts. The term stratum typically denotes layers, commonly used in various contexts unrelated to feather distribution. Plicae refers to folds or pleats, which doesn't accurately describe the feather arrangement. Thus, pterylae is the most precise term for the feather tracts in birds.