uropygial gland

Some or all species in at least nine families of birds lack a uropygial gland.

Chemical cues are not the only factor when it comes to secretions by the uropygial gland.

In some birds, the feather colors may be created or altered by uropygial gland secretions.

The uropygial gland is an opening located on most avian species towards the base of the tail.

Unlike ducks, the Anhinga is not able to waterproof its feathers using oil produced by the uropygial gland.

Many ornithologists believe the function of the uropygial gland differs among various species of birds.

K also has other pleiotropic effects, as a reduction in comb size and hypertrophy of the uropygial gland.

It has a swollen appearance because it also contains the uropygial gland that produces preen oil.

However, studies in 1678 on the question of the toxic nature of the uropygial gland secretion found no evidence to support Frederick's contention.

Tinamous have uropygial glands.

Adult ratites have no preen gland (uropygial gland) that contains preening oil.

Like in all cormorants, due to their vestigial uropygial gland their plumage is not waterproof.

Preening (with or without dermal or uropygial glands)

Researchers have been unable to correlate the presence or absence of the uropygial gland with factors such as distribution, climate, ecology, or flightlessness.

To do that, they use the preen oil secreted by the uropygial gland, the dust of down feathers, or other means such as dust-bathing or anting.

During the breeding period, adults release an increased level of pheromones also since their uropygial glands are larger while raising their nestlings (Amo et al., 2012).

The uropygial gland secretes an oil (preen oil) through the dorsal surface of the skin via a grease nipple-like nub or papilla.

Birds without a uropygial gland (e.g., the emu, kiwi, ostrich and bustard) rely on dust bathing to keep their feathers clean and dry.

Emperor Frederick II, in his thirteenth century treatise on falconry, was seemingly the first to discuss the function of the uropygial gland of birds.

The uropygial gland of the incubating and brooding female is quickly modified to produce a foul-smelling liquid, and the glands of nestlings do so as well.

The uropygial gland, informally known as the preen gland or the oil gland, is a bilobate sebaceous gland possessed by the majority of birds.

The hoopoe (Upupa epops) uropygial gland harbours symbiotic bacteria whose excretions reduce the activity of feather-degrading bacteria and thus help to preserve the plumage.

However, some types of diester waxes called uropygiols and containing hydroxyfatty acids and/or alkane-diols exist in the secretions of the uropygial gland of some groups of birds.

Birds and reptiles have relatively few skin glands, although there may be a few structures for specific purposes, such as pheromone-secreting cells in some reptiles, or the uropygial gland of most birds.