View allAll Photos Tagged preening

Gatorland Bird Rookery

Orlando, FL

02/26/2011

 

It's amazing how similar this pair of Great Egrets are to human couples. The male on the left had clearly indicated he was ready to mate. The female on the right, however, had different ideas. First she had to primp and preen her feathers. Next she required some foreplay where there was caressing, kissing and beak snapping. Finally she decided it was "time" and allowed the male to commence.

 

I guess some things can be counted on throughout many different species. :-)

 

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Drake Canvasback preening on the Royal River in Yarmouth, Maine

Freehand video of a juvenile Bald Eagle preening itself high in a tree in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia.

Sorry for the shakiness -- I was shooting this freehand, but I just had to share.

Snowy egret preens as the sun rises. Taken at Paynes Prairie State Park off the La Chua Trail.

Canvasback hen preening her feather

Mallard duck Preening

(500 mm lens hand held)

Iso 400

Ruddy duck preening its breast

The evening sunlight really brings out the colours of this magnificent bird.

cockatiels must preen their feathers throughout the day to keep them in top condition

Hurrah, swans have returned to the lake :)

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge at Fort Morgan

Mallard ducklings at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, B.C.

A Pelican preens itself atop a light pole at Greenwell Point, on the Crookhaven River (near Nowra)

cressi the african grey preening herself

This was taken through chicken wire with a zoom lens of the Emperor goose preening in the largest aviary. The original photo has the whole bird, but when I cropped tightly, I was amazed at how it changed the focus and mood of the photo.

Love to see the swans preening they can prove their ability to be contortionist when they really get going.

 

This Picture is © Copyrighted. to Tess Mc Kenna

None of these images may be reproduced and or used in any form of publication, print or the Internet without my written permission

 

Such is this common tern,or in fact any bird!Much of their day goes in arranging their feathers with the beak! As it may look only for the visual appeal..it does have a much bigger scientific background..In this daily routine called as preening,birds actually spread oil secreted from an external gland near the tail all over the feathers to make them water repellant and also to remove dust along with other parasites that host on them! This indirectly also ensures a healthier body...plus,who wouldn't do it if it makes them so much more beautiful and attractive :P

This image was taken when it had almost finished its grooming-of-the-day ritual amd when it was cleaning its last beautiful feather! :)

 

Species: Common Tern(Breeding)

Location:Al Shatti beach,Muscat!

Gear:Nikon D7100 with Nikkor 200-500 VR

Ring-necked Parakeet having a good preen.

I caught this bird mid preen which is why the head is at an unusual angle. Also, the feathers are in some disarray so it's not obvious what it is. Will leave the name off for a while. See if you can guess what it is.

Cayucos State Beach, Cayucos, CA

Mute Swan.

 

Coppull, Lancashire.

This one found a small ledge to do some private preening.

Brevard Zoo - Melbourne Florida - December 2016

A Barred Owl doing some afternoon preening.

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preening peacock

It was amazing to watch this pair of guillemots on the cliff top preening each other...it was done tenderly and with love. No feather was untouched. The ritual went on for quite some time. It was just lovely to see.

A juvenile Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) preening at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center on July 11th, 2025.

A lovely day last Sunday so I paid a visit to Sandy Water Park in Llanelli. Some great light & lovely blue water. Went from there to take some shots of a local women's football match.

Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida

One from a 24-hour trip to Florida, and one of the first shots taken with a new 300mm lens plus 2x extender.

Swans always look graceful don't they?

Great Egret taking advantage of the warming sun on a cold morning in Charleston.

with 17Ell Teleconverter

Overexposed Swan at Pitfour Lake.

Copyright © Daniel Ruyle

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