also: わたばね
down feather; plumule
Technical ornithological term for the soft, fluffy feathers found on young birds or under the outer feathers of adults.
The chick is covered with down feathers.
This field guide has a close-up photo of a down feather.
Kana spelling of the alternative reading わたばね, which is less common but still used.
Compound of 綿 (cotton, fluffy) and 羽 (feather). The reading めんう uses the on'yomi of both characters, while わたばね uses the kun'yomi of 綿 and the kun'yomi of 羽.