MALLARD PREENING A HEALTHY HABIT

I was hiking ACFL North and stopped at the lookout area on Big Beaver Pond where this mallard was preening. It was a “wait for it” moment, wanted to get the wing stretch. I had a very small window to shoot though, the mallard did a wonderful job staying right where I needed him. He was preening away for some time and would keep looking at me. I was able to get a great series of captures of the grooming process.

You never get a chance to really see the beauty of the process of preening, it happens so quickly. The series of images lets you really enjoy the details of preening.

ACFL North, Anacortes, WA

Preening is a crucial aspect of a mallard's daily routine. It maintains their feathers in pristine condition and cleanliness, while also eliminating parasites and other undesirable organisms.

Mallards preen by utilizing their bills to apply oil from their preen glands onto their feathers. This oil serves to waterproof the feathers and make them smooth. Additionally, mallards use their bills to remove dirt, debris, and parasites from their feathers.

Preening is a social activity for mallards. They frequently engage in mutual preening and may also preen themselves within groups.

Preening is a crucial aspect of a mallard's health and well-being. Observing a mallard preening itself indicates that the bird is in good health.

Here are some additional facts about mallard preening:

• Mallard preening can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.
• Mallards preen their feathers more often during the breeding season, when they are trying to attract a mate.
• Mallards preen their feathers less often during the winter, when they are trying to conserve energy.

Mallard preening is a captivating behavior to observe. It indicates a healthy bird and constitutes a crucial part of their daily routine. Additionally, it aids them in achieving optimal flight.

ACFL North, Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes Community Forest Lands

For information about the ACFL : Friends of the Forest

© Chris LeBoutillier