Occipital Feather

The Occipital Feather, also known as the Gendering Feather, is the primary indicator of a plume's gender. The Occipital Feather is located at the apex of a standard vertical marching plume, and therefore, often times the highest point on the y-axis of a marching shako. It can be identified on the Alpha Strand, or the strand of feathers that ascends vertically through the middle of the Auxiliary Plumage, or the extra plumage that surrounds the center and points outwards to give the plume further definition. Plume gender can be identified by using the slope-intercept form and determining both the slope and y-intercept of the Occipital Feather. Both of these variables tend to be smaller on female plumes, although every plume is different. Determining the gender of plumes that have sustained contact with moisture is more difficult, but can still be achieved due to the solution misted onto each plume when it is manufactured. The solution causes the Occipital Feather to be heavier on one side or the other based on its gender. Male Occipital Feathers will fall slightly to the right and Female Occipital Feathers will fall slightly to the left.

Marcher 1: Hey I think you have a girl plume.
Marcher 2: Why do you say that.
Marcher 1: Your Occipital Feather is indicating female plumage. You might wanna switch that out.
Marcher 2: Now that I look at it, you're right. I'll go switch it out for a boy plume.

Occipital Feather by BandNerdsInc October 7, 2023