Jeremiah Loei’s July 2017 video clip shows of a pair of Thick-billed Green-pigeons (Treron curvirostra) perching on a branch preening vigorously.
The green-pigeons were fluffing their feathers, scratching their heads and working their bill all over their body to remove dirt and dislodge moulted feathers. Individual feathers were given special attention to smoothen the barbs so as to lock them together as well as to remove stale preen oil and dirt.
Birds spend a large portion of their time in such comfort behaviour in order to keep their plumage in perfect condition. This is important, especially when pursued by a predator.
Jeremiah Loei
Singapore
14th October 2017
This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.
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