Sitka, a Bald Eagle and Raptor-in-Residence here at the Alaska Raptor Center, showing off her preening skills! Preening is a bird's way of grooming its feathers to keep them in the best condition. While preening, birds remove dust, dirt, and parasites from their feathers and align each feather into the perfect position! Most birds will preen several times a day to keep themselves healthy. | Alaska Raptor Center

Have you ever watched closely to see what a bird does when it's preening? Here's an Antarctic Tern, filmed recently in South Africa, adjusting and realigning its feathers to keep them in good shape. Watch how it reaches back to the base of its tail—it's collecting oil from an organ known as the uropygial gland (or preen gland). Birds spread this oil across their plumage in order to condition and waterproof their feathers. Thanks to Daniel Engelbrecht in Western Cape, South Africa for sharing thi

Feathers wear with time and use and birds preen these using preening oil that is secreted from the preening glands. However, any excess oil on bird feathers may be a hindrance in smooth flight. To overcome this, birds indulge in dust baths. Dust absorbs excess oil from the feathers and prevents the feathers from getting greasy. Oil-soaked dust can easily be shed when birds shake their bodies and flight feathers. This also removes any parasites like lice, feather mites etc. This Common Hoopoe was