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Most people believe that birds waterproof their feathers by the oil located on their backs but that is not how they waterproof it. The interlocking hooks and barbules on feathers is what makes a bird waterproof and not all bird are waterproof.

-Kynlee Bird Expert

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13y ago

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Do Bird swim?

Yes, many birds can swim. How do they do this without messing up their wings/feathers? it's because in a gland near the bird's tail is some oil, when a bird preens he spreads the waterproof oil all over his feathers to keep the bird from drowning. (preening is when a bird straightens out his/her feathers to keep them intact with his/her beak.)


What is a preen gland?

A preen gland is an organ in a bird near the tail, producing oil to help waterproof the bird's feathers. It is also called the Uropygial gland.


Why do birds have waterproof wings?

It isn't the natural oils on bird feathers that make a bird waterproof.It was originally thought that a bird's ability to remain waterproof related to the oil-producing gland located on their back. While it's true that birds do coat their feathers with this oil as they are preening, it isn't what makes their feathers waterproof. The natural oil that birds distribute across their feathers as they preen acts as a conditioner. A bird's waterproofing actually relates to the position and alignment of their feathers. When you see a bird preening, you are witnessing the animal meticulously aligning each of its feathers so that they are perfectly interlocked.The interlocking hooks and barbules on feathers is what makes a bird waterproofBird feathers are amazing when you examine them closely. Feathers have a series of hooks, barbs, and barbules, which allow feathers to remain tightly locked together. This interlocking of hooks and barbules is what actually provides an airtight seal allowing bird's skin to remain insulated from water and the elements. In addition to the hooks and barbules locking together, a bird's feathers lay flat against their body similarly to the shingles on your roof. Not unlike the shingles on your roof, if feathers are not in alignment, they are not waterproof. As you can imagine, this is why birds spend so much time preening and aligning their feathers-their survival depends on it.Sources:[related links]Glencoe Science: New York Science, Grade 8


How do feathers of a bird protect it from cold?

how the feathers protect the bird


Which is the bird that do not have feathers?

As far as we know, there is no bird living without feathers.


Make a sentence with molting?

If a bird is molting, that means it is a season where they lose some of their feathers (to be replaced by new feathers)


How do the feathers of a bird protect it from cold?

how the feathers protect the bird


Do you have to kill a bird to make a quill pen?

no, there are feathers that already exist to make a pen, you can also buy them ready made, with faux feathers.


How would the loss of feathers affect a bird?

It will not be able to fly with no feathers. Feathers keep a bird warm. If its feathers are gone it will die of cold. Most importantly feathers help a bird to escape from predators.


What is another name for bird feathers?

Another name for bird feathers is down.


What is under the feathers of a bird that keeps the bird warm in freezing temperature?

Down feathers are feathers that lie under a birds body and primary feathers. These feathers are small and puffy, and trap warm air under a bird's feathers.


What part of a bird touches water but never gets wet?

The part of a bird that touches water but never gets wet is its feathers, specifically the waterproof outer layer of feathers. Birds have a special oil produced by a gland near their tails that they spread over their feathers, creating a water-repellent barrier. This oil allows them to stay dry even when they are in or on the water.