26/07/2010

preening


Ducks spend a lot of time preening themselves. They preen to remove parasites, to remove scales which cover newly sprouting feathers, to spread oil on their feathers and to comb the barbs on their feathers so that they interlock. The oil comes from the preen gland on the rump. The duck picks up the oil with its head and beak and rubs it over its feathers.

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