What is preening?

What is preening?

• A. Preening is the act of cleaning and arranging feathers with the beak to maintain their condition and insulation.
• B. Preening is the process of shedding old feathers.
• C. Preening is the feeding of nestlings.
• D. Preening is a type of flight maneuver.

Answer: (A)

Preening is the act of cleaning and arranging feathers with the beak to maintain their condition and insulation. A bird uses its beak to straighten and align feathers, remove dirt, and spread oil from a gland near the base of the tail along the feathers. This oil helps waterproof and insulate the plumage, keeping the feathers flexible and tightly packed for better flight and warmth. It’s not about shedding old feathers (that’s molting), not about feeding nestlings, and not a flight maneuver—those are different behaviors.

Preening is the act of cleaning and arranging feathers with the beak to maintain their condition and insulation. A bird uses its beak to straighten and align feathers, remove dirt, and spread oil from a gland near the base of the tail along the feathers. This oil helps waterproof and insulate the plumage, keeping the feathers flexible and tightly packed for better flight and warmth. It’s not about shedding old feathers (that’s molting), not about feeding nestlings, and not a flight maneuver—those are different behaviors.