Feather Bird Brooch Delicate hand-made feather Bird Brooch. On fabric backing with metal pin. The brooch measures 3" from beak to tail. Indians especially used feathers to make their head dresses and as hair ornaments. Often the wearing of a feather was symbolic of reaching a certain mile stone or accomplishing a particular feat. Feathers were also used to adorn hats and as writing instruments. Today, feathers are still used in our society as art work items and decorative accessories.