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The Daily Bucket Sequence Friday -- Preening Sandhill Cranes [1]

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Date: 2022-12-02

If you haven’t experienced it, the closeness of Sandhills at Kensington can be hard to believe. Here’s a few photos for context.

Sandhill Cranes just outside the nature center at Kensington, where they are just two more hikers sharing the nature trails.

Sandhill Cranes escorting mom and baby across the boardwalk bridge.

This year, there was a family of two adults and two colts, something I’ve never seen before at Kensington. Even single colts are not common. This family had just crossed a park road (very low and strictly enforced speed limit) and were headed for Wildwing Lake. The colts are the one floofing on the far left and third from the left. Zoomed.

Preening is critical to bird health, as explained in this article (with hyperlinks omitted):

Birds have up to 25,000 feathers, and regular preening keeps each one of those feathers in top condition. Second only to feeding, preening is a common bird behavior easily observed in a yard, out in the field, or even among captive birds or pets. Understanding why and how birds preen can help birders better appreciate their beautiful avian friends. Preening serves several essential purposes for birds, including: Moisturizing feathers with preen oil so they are flexible and strong, instead of brittle and easily breakable. This helps feathers better withstand the stress of flight.

Aligning feathers for optimum waterproofing and insulation to protect against adverse conditions, such as soaking or extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Aligning feathers into the most aerodynamic shape for easier, more efficient flight. This helps birds use less energy in flight and make more acrobatic moves.

Removing feather parasites and body lice that can destroy feathers or carry disease. This keeps birds healthier and protects the entire flock or nest from an outbreak.

Removing tough sheaths from newly molted feathers. Removing these sheaths helps gets feathers into the proper position more quickly so they can be useful right away.

Creating a healthier appearance to attract a mate. A healthier, more attractive bird will attract a stronger mate and have a better chance of raising many strong, healthy chicks.

Bonding between mates as a courtship ritual that involves mutual preening, called allopreening. This is a form of communication between mates and helps keep their connection strong.

Birds preen with both their bills and feet. Let’s take a closer look at the Sandhill’s tools.

Look closely and you can see a small feather on the tip of the bill. Zoom

One of the overwintering Kensington Sandhills from last year. The bills remind me of wood. Zoomed.

Closeup of one of the juveniles in late October, fully equipped with a bill ready for preening. Zoom

Sandhill Crane foot zoomed.

Using that foot very carefully. Zoomed.

Preening often involves stretching. From the same article above, stretching

helps provide space between each feather, so the entire feather can be stroked and groomed effectively. Stretching or fluffing also helps birds align all their feathers after a section has been preened.

No, the crane on the left isn’t kicking the one on the right. It’s stretching and fluffing its bustle just a bit. Zoomed.

With no further ado, here’s the bill preening sequence, taken October 28, 2022.

It starts with an easy to reach spot. Zoomed.

A little more of a stretch required here. Zoomed.

Switching to the other side, here’s a closeup of the breast and underwing. Zoomed.

Reaching way back under the wing. Zoomed.

I find their ability to independently move each feather fascinating. Zoomed.

And last, getting that hard-to-reach spot with a look of pure bliss. Zoomed.

Now it’s your turn. What’s going on in nature in your area?

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/2/2135947/-The-Daily-Bucket-Sequence-Friday-Preening-Sandhill-Cranes

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