Our world is home to thousands of different kinds of birds . No two bird species are the same . Each one has its own unique qualities – like its feathers ! Feathers keep a bird warm and dry . Feathers also help it to fly . And they can be very colorful , making a woodpecker with its bright red feathers stand out in the woods on a cold , wintry day . And people have been wearing bird feathers on hats for hundreds of years . But feathers were not just worn for decoration – to improve a person's appearance . Hundreds of years ago it often meant something else . Today we talk about one : “To have a feather in your cap .” The feather gives you bragging rights – a chance to tell the world about your success . A feather in your cap also gives you an upper hand , meaning it puts you in a better position . For example , on social media , having a million followers on Twitter can be considered a feather in your cap . Getting a pay raise or winning an award can both be feathers in your cap . So it is something you can be proud of and something you can use in the future to get ahead . As an example , the site uses the early English travel writer Richard Hansard and his 1599 Description of Hungary : And some Native American tribes would give feathers to someone for a brave act . The saying "a feather in your cap " is widely used in conversation and even in some songs . Many American children sing these words without even knowing what they mean . Let's listen to part of a well-known song called Yankee Doodle . This song dates back to the days of the American War of Independence . Some people say British soldiers sang it as a way of making fun of the opposing forces . “Doodle ” was an 18th century British term for a stupid person . And “macaroni ” meant a well-dressed person , someone who likes the finer things in life . By the way , we still use both “doodle ” and “macaroni ” today , except the meanings have changed completely . A “doodle ” is a quickly made and simple artwork . And “macaroni ” is a small noodle . One last note on this expression : The word “cap ” can belong to anyone . In fact , you can use whatever descriptive words you need to explain who is wearing the cap . For example , winning an Oscar is surely a feather in the cap of any movie director . And getting accepted to a great university is a feather in the cap of any student . Hopefully , speaking English is now a feather in your cap !