Oh that look….
Tag: Urban Hawk
Preening 101
Dora preening before rain starts.
Preening is a bird’s way of grooming its feathers to keep them in the best condition. While preening, birds will remove dust, dirt and parasites from their feathers and align each feather in the optimum position relative to adjacent feathers and body shape. Most birds will preen several times a day to keep themselves healthy.The uropygial gland, or preen gland, is an essential part of preening. This gland is found near the base of the tail and produces an oily substance that contains diester waxes that help waterproof feathers and keep them flexible. While preening, birds will spread this oil to each feather. Some types of birds, including owls, pigeons, parrots and hawks, lack a uropygial gland and instead have specialized feathers that disintegrate into powder down, which serves the same purpose as preen oil. Birds that produce powder down are less likely to bathe or immerse themselves in water and do not require the stronger waterproofing that preen oil provides.
music: Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Beautiful Dora basking in the setting sun.
Rumor has it that she may have laid her first egg!
Keering 101
Dora cried, “Let’s get it on!” and it worked.
Adults make a hoarse, screaming kee-eeeee-arr. It lasts 2-3 seconds and is usually given while soaring. During courtship, they also make a shrill chwirk, sometimes giving several of these calls in a row. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
This is the first day of spring??
“WTF? This is the first day of Spring? Like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill I will do more than simply endure.” thought the bird.
Music: The Lonely Shepherd by Zamfir
TwoHawksNYC 