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European Herring Gull: The bird on the right uncovers its uropygial gland to distribute its oil through the plumage by means of preening. The bird on the left is pushing its head towards the gland.
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) extracting preen oil from its uropygial gland.
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Hoopoes host symbiotic bacteria in their uropygial glands whose excretions act against feather-degrading bacteria.
The uropygial gland, informally known as the preen gland, is a gland found in the large majority of birds that secretes an oil (preen oil) that birds use for preening. The chief compounds of preen oil are diester waxes called uropygiols.
The gland is found near the base of the tail and is shaped into two symmetric parts. The oil of each part of the gland is secreted through the surface of the skin through a grease nipple-like nub. A bird will typically transfer this oil to its feathers by rubbing its head against the oil and then around the rest of the body. Tailward areas are usually preened utilizing the beak. Not all birds have a uropygial gland. Exceptions include the emu, kiwi, ostrich, and bustard. These typically find other means to stay clean and dry, such as taking a dust bath. See also powder down.
Waterproofing effect[]
The uropygial gland is strongly developed in many waterbirds, such as ducks (but not in cormorants which are also highly aquatic). It appears that the waterproofing effect is not primarily by the uropygiols – although they are hydrophobic – but by applying an electrostatic charge to the oiled feather through the mechanical action of preening.[citation needed]
Antiparasitic effect[]
An in vitro study[1] suggests that the preen oils are effective against lice. Furthermore, the taxonomic richness of avian louse burdens covaries positively with preen gland size (relative to body size) across avian taxa suggesting coevolution between gland size and parasite biodiversity.[2] Moreover, hoopoe preen gland harbours symbiotic bacteria whose excretions reduce the activity of feather-degrading bacteria and thus help to preserve the plumage.[3]
References[]
- ↑ Moyer, BR, et al. (2003). Experimental test of the importance of preen oil in rock doves (Columba livia). Auk 120 (2): 490–496.
- ↑ Møller, AP, et al. (2010). Ectoparasites, uropygial glands and hatching success in birds. Oecologia 163 (2): 303–311.
- ↑ Martin-Vivaldi, M, et al. (2009). Antimicrobial chemicals in hoopoe preen secretions are produced by symbiotic bacteria. Proc. R. Soc. B 277 (1678): 123–30.
Compare with[]
- Sebaceous gland
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Subclass: Neornithes (29 orders of modern birds) |
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