Using Found Feathers observations as reference specimens

Thanks to your contributions, the Found Feathers project has become quite an extensive virtual feather collection! I wanted to take a moment and explain how you can use this project as a source for reference specimens in cases where you want to back up an identification by referencing previously-identified observations. This way, we can more effectively utilize the time and energy investment of the many dedicated identifiers who have already reviewed and collectively identified thousands of feather observations (especially the talented @karakaxa who has single-handedly reviewed nearly every single observation in the project!).

To navigate to the project observations, click on Observations under the Totals section on the front page of the Found Feathers project on a computer or mobile browser. Use iNaturalist's search bars to narrow down the results (Species, Location). You may also want to click on Filters, select Research Grade, and Update Search.

If you're looking for observations of feathers of a specific placement (i.e. primary, secondary, tail, body), click to this previous journal post to choose which placement you're looking for, and then use the search bars/filters to narrow down the results.

Here's an example search, which I might use if I wanted to see research-grade observations of Great Horned Owl primary wing feathers found in the United States.

I hope this is helpful! I find it fun to navigate the project observations this way to learn more about what's being added to the project.

Happy feather finding!
Amanda @featherenthusiast

Posted on August 12, 2020 02:00 AM by featherenthusiast featherenthusiast

Comments

This sounds great and so useful. While I don’t ID feathers much, this sounds like a great resource in the future:

Posted by chrisleearm over 3 years ago

Thank you!

Posted by ken-potter over 3 years ago

Didn't know how to do it! You are doing a great job at FoundFeather!! love this project!

Posted by diegoalmendras over 3 years ago

Awesome project, cheers for all the works on it! :)

Posted by twan3253 over 3 years ago

My favorite Project on iNat! Thanks!

Posted by jim_carretta over 3 years ago

This is one of our favorite projects.
We are delighted to have been able to contribute some observations.
Thanks!

Posted by dodo_colombia over 3 years ago

I have a million things yet to learn about feathers, but this is my go-to resource whenever I come across them. Thank you all!!

Posted by andreacala over 3 years ago

👍

Posted by naturenut over 3 years ago

Thanks!

Posted by klyle161 over 3 years ago

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