injured bird

Of course I'm being influenced by your title here, but put together with "injured bird," the rusty stain of color that taints the feather does faintly make me think of the burn of pain, suggesting that was the result of the separation of the feather from the body. Someone mentioned that this had a "spiritual" aspect, and looking back on my own description I've just made makes me agree. There is also a beauty in what the colors do to the feather, adding plays of purple to the blue and orange.