barbicel
/ˈbɑrbɪˌsɛl/
noun
- A tiny hook-like structure on a bird's feather that helps hold the barbs together, keeping the feather smooth.
- Under a microscope, the barbicels look like small hooks along the feather's edge.
- When a bird preens, it realigns the barbicels to keep its feathers in good condition.
- Each barbicel acts like a tiny hook, locking the feather's barbs into place.