What Makes the Feather Soar (IMAGE) University of South Carolina Caption Birds have adapted to so many ecological niches in large part because of the variety of ways feathers lend them a competitive advantage. One key to the feather's manifold manifestations is a family of proteins that evolved some 150 million years ago: the beta-keratins. Credit Scott Liddell Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.