Hi. I  would like to make a owl cake topper and was wondering if anyone had any ideas or tips of how to get the feathered effect (for the body, face and for the wings).  Thinking of something similar to these (whichever is easiest probably!)

Cake 1

Cake 2

Cake 3

I am an amateur decorator so don't really want to do anything too complicated but would like a bit of texture.

Or even better if anyone has a tutorial video / picture that would be fab!!  

I've done a few birds, some with individual gum paste feathers and one with illusion feathers.  The first is with individually formed and applied fondant feathers.  I rolled out thin pieces of gum paste and marked them with a knife, then applied them to the figure.

For the little wren, I used a pointed tool to give a little texture instead of individual feathers.