Feathers comes from a variety of birds who shed their feathers. Feathers have an oil based coat which keeps the water running off the bird. Sometimes feathers are shed falling to the ground due to the bird picking them off or they just fall out. Feathers aren't always good to pick off the ground due to the disease in the stem of the feather from the bird itself. Feathers are also cultural from Indian tribes as ceremonial head pieces or other forms of ceremonial clothing as well as dancers.