Brown Pelican Uropygial Gland and Preening Behavior, Pelecanus occidentalis

A brown pelican preening, uropygial gland (preen gland) visible near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. Note adult winter breeding plumage in display, with brown neck, red gular throat pouch and yellow and white head. This adult is just transitioning to the brown hind neck that characterizes breeding brown pelicans. La Jolla, California, USA, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, natural history stock photograph, photo id 36682
A brown pelican preening, uropygial gland (preen gland) visible near the base of its tail. Preen oil from the uropygial gland is spread by the pelican's beak and back of its head to all other feathers on the pelican, helping to keep them water resistant and dry. Note adult winter breeding plumage in display, with brown neck, red gular throat pouch and yellow and white head. This adult is just transitioning to the brown hind neck that characterizes breeding brown pelicans. La Jolla, California, USA

This image is featured in: Preening, Seabirds and the Uropygial Gland

Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 36682
Format: Digital 3:2
Keywords: adult, animal, animalia, aves, bird, breeding, brown pelican, california, california brown pelican, chordata, cleaning, coloration, creature, endangered, endangered threatened species, feather, grooming, la jolla, la jolla pelicans, mating, nature, occidentalis, pelecanidae, pelecaniform, pelecaniformes, pelecanus, pelecanus occidentalis, pelecanus occidentalis californicus, pelican, pelicanidae, plumage, preen, preen gland, preen oil, preening, san diego, seabird, seabird anatomy, seabird behavior, threatened, uropygial gland, usa, vertebrata, vertebrate, wildlife
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