Feather features include shafts, which are the central part of a feather. Shafts are made up of a hollow tube of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails. The shafts are connected to the quill, which is the base of the feather. The barbs, which are the thin strands that branch off from the shaft, are connected to the quill by barbules. The barbules have tiny hooks that help keep the barbs together. The vanes, which are the flat parts of the feather, are made up of the barbs and barbules. All of these components make up the feather features.