A Badminton Shuttlecock, also called a bird or a birdie, is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of Badminton. The open conical shape is formed by feathers, or a synthetic alternative, and embedded into a rounded cork or rubber base. Synthetic Shuttlecocks are referred to as plastics, and feathered Shuttlecocks are called feathers. There are 16 or so overlapping feathers, and it is preferable to use feathers from right or left wings, and to not mix feathers from different wings. This shape makes the Shuttlecock aerodynamically stable, and regardless of the initial orientation, the Shuttlecock will turn to fly cork first.