Birds & Feathers
- Mexicolore’s “Quetzal” (Paul A. Johnsgard) takes a look at the bird with the colorful, long feathers that were so prized by pre-Columbian Mesoamericans.
- Frances Berdan, “Circulation of Feathers in Mesoamerica” (2004)
- Santiago Andres Garcia, “Early Representations of Mesoamerica’s Feathered Serpent” (M.A. Thesis)
- Wikipedia article, “Resplendent Quetzal“
- Wikipedia article, “Feathered Serpent“
Parrots serve as legs to this pumpkin-shaped vase. Both are native to the Americas. Pre-Classic Colima (West Mexico). Museum of Natural History, New York. (R. Haskett, 2012)
Feathered headdresses were extremely common all across prehispanic Mesoamerica, and continue in some communities to the present. Nahua drum. Museum of Natural History, New York. (R. Haskett, 2012)
Example of a feathered headdress today, heir to the pre-Columbian headdresses. Guelaguetza calenda (parade). (S. Wood, 2011)