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Peregrine Falcon having a dust-bath in a high-rise apartment

on 25th July 2015

In July 2015 a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) was seen having a dust-bath on the balcony floor of a yet to be completed apartment in a high-rise building.

Many birds keep their feathers in good condition by taking dust-bath LINK. They lie on the dusty ground and moves vigorously about to get the dirt particles onto their feathers. This helps to get rid of ectoparasites as well as stale secretions from their oil glands.

In the case of this falcon, it found a quiet spot in this uncompleted high-rise building.

The presence of sand particles as a result of building activities and the absence of workers in the unit made this an ideal site for its “bath’. It would not be long before the building would be completed and no opportunity for the peregrine to return. Maybe the photographer would then have an opportunity to document other birds taking shower baths?

Other methods of keeping their feathers in top condition include water bath LINK, preening LINK and anting LINK.

Wong Weng Fai
Singapore
July 2015

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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