Why are the wing-tip feathers different?
Feathers on a crane's wing tips are called primary
feathers.
They are black because they contain a dark color pigment called melanin.
The melanin makes
primary feathers much stronger. That's important. The wing tips
get the most
wear and
tear
from
flying. The melanin helps the primary feathers
last
longer.
— Laura Erickson, Ornithologist
Photo Cindy Loken
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