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Little Heron and its uropygial or preen glands

on 30th September 2013

The image above by Johnny Wee shows the Little Heron (Butorides striatus) exposing its pair of preen glands located on its rump at the base of the tail. These glands, also known as uropygial glands, exude a viscous liquid of fatty acids, waxes and fats. They are found in most birds except Ostrich (Struthio camelus), emus, crassowaries and some pigeons, parrots and woodpeckers.

This is a rare image where the glands are totally exposed. Usually when a bird is preening, it pushes its bill between the tail feathers to reach the the glands. Once the bill is smeared with oil from the gland, the bird spreads it over the feathers.

Ornithologists believe that the oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also preserves feather moistness and flexibility as well as provide an insulating and waterproofing layer.

Johnny Wee
Singapore
September 2013

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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