Preening
Preening
Preening (/priːnɪŋ/), derived from the Old English word 'prēon', meaning 'to trim or dress', is a behavior exhibited by many avian species and some mammals. It involves the cleaning and maintaining of their feathers or fur using their beaks or other body parts.
Etymology
The term 'preening' has its roots in the Old English word 'prēon', which translates to 'to trim or dress'. It was later adopted into Middle English as 'prunen' or 'preinen', and eventually evolved into the modern English term 'preen'.
Behavior
Birds and some mammals engage in preening to remove dust, dirt, and parasites from their feathers or fur. This behavior also helps to realign their feathers for better flight efficiency and insulation. In addition to its practical purposes, preening is also a social activity in some species, where individuals preen each other, a behavior known as allopreening.
Related Terms
- Allopreening: A social behavior where animals preen each other.
- Feathers: The primary body covering of birds, which are maintained through preening.
- Grooming: A similar behavior to preening, but typically refers to mammals cleaning their fur.
- Uropygial gland: A gland found in many bird species that produces oils used in preening.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Preening
- Wikipedia's article - Preening
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