This duck has fabulous feathers and he knows it.
But they’re not just for looks…
They make an incredible raincoat.
Ducks and geese paddle their days away in often-chilly waters.
Waters that can suck the heat right out of you.
They rely on their extraordinary feathers to stay all dry and toasty.
But such glamorous plumage requires a strict preening regimen.
Birds have two main types of feathers, vaned and down.
Down feathers are fuzzy and soft.
Their fluffiness creates a space for warm air right next to the bird's skin.
These goslings are born with an extra dense coat of down feathers.
As the goslings grow, they develop more elaborate vaned feathers.
These give birds their shapely curves and color, and help them fly.
Plus, the vaned feathers protect the down by forming a barrier that keeps air in,
and water out.
This central rachis provides the main structure.
Barbs extend outwards.
From those? Barbules reach out.
Some of those barbules end in little hooks, called -- wait for it -- barbicels.
They connect the overlapping barbs to one another like velcro, weaving a lattice
so tight it repels water.
But as these birds strut their stuff, some of the barbicels lose their grip.
The seal breaks.
The barbs separate.
That’s where all that painstaking preening comes in.
Every time the duck runs its bill down the length of a feather, it zips its barbs
back together again.
Maybe you've noticed how birds spend a lot of time rummaging around on their backside.
This is what they’re going for.
See that little patch of short greasy feathers?
Hidden beneath them is a uropygial gland, also called a preen gland.
Nearly every type of bird in the world has one on their rump, just above their tail feathers.
The gland secretes a wax that repels water.
These stubby feathers soak it up.
Ducks dab their bills into that wax and spread it over their feathers.
It’s an incredible conditioner that takes their feathers from water-resistant to waterproof.
You’ll even see them rub their heads on their freshly preened feathers, to wax those
hard to reach parts.
With some work, this little duck can keep itself totally comfy… and gorgeous.
You’re still there! Good.
Deep Look’s got more feathered friends for you.
Like these hummingbirds that perform aerial acrobatics in wind and rain to get to flowers,
Or these stealthy owls, whose fluffy feathers let them sneak up on prey without
making a sound.
Thanks and see you soon.