ChatGPT told me they are called “barbs”. Then using straight forward google search i could verify that indeed that is the name of the thing i was looking for.
Why not just start with a straight forward Google search?
Why not just start with a straight forward Google search?
Google doesn't give you the answer (unless you're reading the AI summaries - then it's a question of which one you trust more). Instead it provides links to
https://www.scienceofbirds.com/blog/the-parts-of-a-feather-and-how-feathers-work
https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2010/07/02/anatomy-parts-of-a-feather/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Feather-structure-a-feather-shaft-rachis-and-the-feather-vane-barbs-and-barbules_fig3_303095497