GCSpyder’s study of the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) flying over Singapore’s Changi Village shows the wear and tear of the tail feather as well as the moulting of the flight feathers.

An undamaged feather has the barbs firmly attached one to another, resulting in a smooth, continuous surface of the vanes. Many of the tail feathers in the image show damage through wear and tear, resulting in gaps in the vanes.

Worn out feathers are replaced continuously, as seen in the flight feathers. The gaps around where the primary flight feathers meet with the secondary flight feathers in both wings are points of moulting. Here, the old feathers have been discarded and new ones are actively growing. This is symmetrical moulting, to provide balance while in flight. Asymmetrical moulting, where moulting occurs in one wing only, seen in the Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus intermedius) that earlier had a fight and probably lost its feathers through fright moult, is unusual.

As flight feathers play important roles in flying, they are usually replaced one or two at a time.

We have an earlier post on moulting in the migrant Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) and tail moulting in the Jerdon’s Baza (Aviceda jerdoni) that readers may be interested in.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

“There was a light drizzle around my area this afternoon. Bee-eaters frequent my place at this time of year and I found two of them very funnily ‘frozen’ on an aerial attenaa, with tail feathers and wings spread out. Was wondering if they were taking in the drizzle?” wrote Meibao on 10th February 2010.

Were the Blue-tailed Bee-eaters (Merops philippinus) enjoying the drizzle? Most probably they were simply sunning themselves during the slight drizzle. These birds are fond of spreading their wings and tail feathers to expose them to the sun as a form of feather maintenance.

Chris Lee a.k.a. chrisle023 photographed a Malaysian Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) in the process of changing its juvenile plumage to an adult dress.

The duller juvenile plumage is about to take on the darker dress of the adult with the gradual appearance of patches of brownish feathers on its neck and back.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

Adrian Lim a.k.a wmw998 located and photographed a male White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) on a hot and dry day in December 2009. This shama is a resident of forested areas and the small patch of water under a fallen log in a small forest opening provided a convenient spot for it to have a bath.

Before entering the water the bird looked around to ensure no predators were around. Obviously it failed to notice the photographer. It then entered the water, shook about to wet its feathers before emerging to perch on the fallen log. There, it got rid of excess droplets of water before preening himself.

Bathing in water or even sand is a ritual to maintain the feathers in top condition. After a bath the bird will preen itself by grasping the base of the feather, nibbling along the shaft towards the tip. This helps remove dirt, stale oil and possibly any parasites that may be attached to the vane. It may also use its bill to spread oil obtained from the preen or uropygial gland found on the rump immediately in front of the tai feathers. Although generally believed that oiling helps keep the feathers waterproof, it is now believed that the oil helps keep the feathers from turning brittle and thus breaking prematurely. Also, the oil may help control growth of undesirable fungi and encourage growth of favourable fungi that may chemically inhibit the presence of lice.

Image by Adrian Lim.

This post is a cooperative effort between NaturePixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.

“A pair of adult Paddyfield Pipits (Anthus rufulus malayensis) were behaving oddly in this field and kept returning to this sandy patch. I tried getting close twice but they flew off, only to return when I left.

“The images were cropped into a composite and taken from 25-30 meters. Images are poor quality but I want to show this behaviour of bathing in the sand.

“Have not seen pipits do this in the past. Sparrows do it often, some bee-eaters, mynas occasionally, skylarks and some birds in drier areas.

“It was the heat of the day but the birds were keen to get this “bath”. It lasted for close to 10 minutes. Wonder what sand baths do for birds – pest control, clean feathers or just pleasure?

“I can understand birds in drier regions but locally it cannot be for lack of water! There is a discussion here on this.

According to this article, birds that take dust baths, for feather maintenance. The dust soaks up excess moisture and oil and probably helps to remove tiny parasites that live on feathers. Dust probably also sooths irritated skin and discourages skin parasites that infest birds. Taking a dust bath may even help birds cool down on hot days.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia
13th December 2009