noun
- areas of a bird’s skin from which feathers grow, as opposed to the bare areas between them
Usage: ornithology; technical
Examples
- The ornithologist carefully examined the pterylae to identify the bird species.
- Pterylae are arranged in specific patterns that vary among different bird families.
- The distribution of pterylae helps scientists understand bird evolution.
- Young birds develop their pterylae as they mature from nestlings to fledglings.
- Researchers mapped the pterylae to study how feathers are organized on the bird’s body.