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Preening
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Preening is a maintenance behaviour found in birds that involves the use of the beak to position feathers, interlock feather barbules that have become separated, clean plumage, and keep ectoparasites
When preening, a bird (such as this red lory) draws individual feathers through its beak, realigning and re-interlocking the barbules.
When preening, a bird (such as this red lory) draws individual feathers through its beak, realigning and re-interlocking the barbules.
Greater flamingo preening in Camargue, France
Greater flamingo preening in Camargue, France
A humboldt penguin preening at Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
A humboldt penguin preening at Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
Birds, like this two-barred crossbill, typically use their beak to gather preen gland oil from the uropygial gland.
Birds, like this two-barred crossbill, typically use their beak to gather preen gland oil from the uropygial gland.
Uropygial gland
Videos
The uropygial gland, informally known as the preen gland or the oil gland, is a bilobed sebaceous gland possessed by the majority of birds used to distribute the gland's oil through the plumage by mea
Preening
…fluff up and shake their feathers, which helps to "rezip" feather barbules that have become unhooked. Using their beaks, they gather preen oil from a gland at the base of their tail and distribute this oil through their feathers. They draw each contour feather through their bill, nibbling it from base to tip. Over time, some elements…
Position of the uropygial gland, indicated on a budgerigar
Position of the uropygial gland, indicated on a budgerigar
Uropygial gland of a blue jay
Uropygial gland of a blue jay
European herring gull (Larus argentatus): The bird on the right is uncovering its uropygial gland to distribute the gland's oil through the plumage by
European herring gull (Larus argentatus): The bird on the right is uncovering its uropygial gland to distribute the gland's oil through the plumage by means of preening. The bird on the left is pushing its head towards its uropygial gland.