262K views · 42K reactions | Sitka, a Bald Eagle and Raptor-in-Residence here at the Alaska Raptor Center, showing off her preening skills! Preening is a bird's way of grooming its feathers to keep them in the best condition. While preening, birds remove dust, dirt, and parasites from their feathers and align each feather into the perfect position! Most birds will preen several times a day to keep themselves healthy. | Alaska Raptor Center | Facebook

7.8K views · 301 reactions | You can tell when a bird is preening by how they rub their head around the preening gland and carry it with their beaks from the follicle to the very end of the feather #preening #feathers #featheredfriends #parrots #birdlife #birdtricks #healthypets | BirdTricks | Facebook

Have you ever watched closely to see what a bird does when it's preening? Here's an Antarctic Tern, filmed recently in South Africa, adjusting and realigning its feathers to keep them in good shape. Watch how it reaches back to the base of its tail—it's collecting oil from an organ known as the uropygial gland (or preen gland). Birds spread this oil across their plumage in order to condition and waterproof their feathers. Thanks to Daniel Engelbrecht in Western Cape, South Africa for sharing thi