Contour feathers coat the whole body. Down feathers form a layer underneath and create insulation. Tail feathers are stiff and often symmetrical, wing feathers are stiff and often NOT symmetrical. Feathers are made of keratin . Birds of prey have feet that are very important for everything they do.
Most birds of prey have three toes in front on their feet , and one toe in the back.
The reason they can balance well, is mainly because they have equal balance on each side. Their feet and talons together are good at grasping prey and their beak is good at tearing prey. A Peregrine Falcon was tracked at 33 mph in migration. It flew 360 miles a day. At night it landed for 2 hours and at 7 am it continued flying to South America.