The feathers are more down to spirtual fulfilment and attunement with nature than an actual emotion. Most of the natives are pretty grim about the fate of their species, but they still get up at 4AM to mumble at fireflies.
So there's not really any contradiction in Abe being both abnormally empathetic and chronically depressed. In fact, his heightened awareness of the plight of Mudos is probably responsible for his maudlin demeanour.
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