The ability of feathers to perform many functions either simultaneously or at different times
throughout the year or life of a bird is integral to the evolutionary history of birds. Many …

The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous
secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence …

The first comprehensive review of all aspects of the biology of moult, drawing information
from across the literature and in all birds, from penguins to passerines. Feathers are …

For a long time birds were assumed to be anosmic or at best microsmatic, with olfaction a
poorly understood and seldom investigated part of avian physiology. The full viability of …

Feathers of seabirds and waterfowl (for example the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos))
consist of hierarchical fibrillar structures encapsulated with hydrophobic preen oil. These …

Parasites can manipulate their hosts to increase their transmission success. Avian malaria
parasites (Plasmodium) are thought to alter the cues such as host odour, used by host …

Feathers are complex integument structures that provide birds with many functions. They are
vital to a bird's survival, fundamental to their visual displays, and responsible for the …

Feathers are inhabited by numerous bacteria, some of them being able to degrade feathers,
and thus potentially alter thermoregulation and visual communication. To limit the negative …

The preen gland is a holocrine sebaceous gland of the avian integument which produces an
oily secretion that is spread on the plumage during preening. It has been suggested that …

Defence mechanisms against parasites and pathogens are some of the most elaborate
biological systems in animals. The oily secretion of the avian uropygial gland has been …