| Notched: a vane of the contour feather is incised toward the end, as in the proximal vanes of the outer primaries of the Broad-winged Hawk. |
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| Spinose: the shaft of the contour feather is prolonged distally without barbs, as in the rectrices of the Chimney Swift. |
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| Acuminate: the contour feather ends in a sharp point, as the retrices of woodpeckers. |
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| Attenuate: the contour feather is long and extremely narrow, as the outer rectrices of the Barn Swallow. |
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