How many feathers does a bird have?

The swan has over 25,000 feathers on its body, providing it with good, year-round insulation in cold northern climates. The larger the bird, the greater the number of feathers it has.

Small songbirds like sparrows and thrushes have between 1,500 and 3,500 feathers on their bodies. In fact, smaller birds have more feathers per square centimeter than larger birds because they lose heat from their bodies more quickly and therefore need much greater insulation.