Owls, like all birds, groom themselves regularly to keep their feathers clean, tidy, and in good condition. Grooming serves several important functions for owls and is an essential part of their daily routine.
Why do owls groom themselves?
There are a few key reasons why owls groom themselves:
- Remove dirt, dust, and debris – An owl’s feathers can easily accumulate dirt, dust, debris, and parasites from the environment. Grooming helps dislodge and remove these particles to keep the feathers clean.
- Adjust feathers and distribute preen oil – Owls have special preen oil that they distribute from a gland near their tail. By grooming, they coat their feathers in this oil to help waterproof and condition them.
- Allow for inspection – Grooming gives owls a chance to inspect their feathers for any defects or damage that need attention.
- Parasite control – Grooming can help remove ectoparasites like feather lice that may be present.
- Comfort and neat appearance – Well-groomed feathers are more neatly arranged and can provide comfort and insulation benefits.
How do owls groom themselves?
Owls use their beaks and claws to groom themselves. They have a special claw on their middle toes called a pectinate claw that is specifically designed for preening and grooming.
During grooming sessions, owls will:
- Distribute preen oil – Rub their beaks against the preen gland to coat them in oil, then run their beak through feathers to distribute it.
- Scratch – Use the pectinate claw to scratch and scrape along the feathers to remove debris.
- Nibble and bite – Gently nibble and bite feathers with their beak to tidy them up and remove objects caught in the barbs.
- Reach awkward spots – Stretch and contort themselves to nibble hard-to-reach spots.
- Bathe – Either bathe in water sources or take dust baths to further clean feathers.
When and how often do owls groom themselves?
Owls are very diligent groomers and will groom multiple times per day, often for an hour or more at a time. Here is when owls are most likely to groom:
- In the morning after waking up
- In the evening before settling down to sleep
- After eating meals when oil is distributed to the beak
- After bathing
- During downtime in the day between hunting and sleeping
In addition to frequent, daily grooming sessions, owls will groom right before major activities like hunting or flying to ensure their feathers are in optimal shape.
What parts of their bodies do owls groom?
Owls groom all parts of their bodies that they can reach:
- Wings and flight feathers – These receive especially meticulous attention since proper feather condition is critical for silent flight.
- Head and facial disc – The facial disc around an owl’s eyes and ears may receive grooming to maintain optimum hearing and vision.
- Tail feathers
- Breast and belly
- Legs and feet – The legs and talons are groomed since owls want to keep these important hunting tools clean and sharp.
- Back
Owls are very flexible and can twist their heads almost completely backwards to nibble and preen feathers on hard-to-reach spots on their back that they can’t see directly.
Do baby owls groom themselves?
Young owlets do not groom themselves at first. They rely completely on their parents for grooming and preening when they first hatch. The parents will nibble and preen baby owls’ developing feathers to keep them clean, remove sheaths, and help condition them.
As baby owls grow, they will start to copy their parents’ grooming motions. By around 2-4 weeks old, owlets will begin grooming themselves, starting with easier spots like the breast and wings. They become fully adept at self-grooming by 6-8 weeks old when ready to leave the nest and fly.
Do owls help groom each other?
Mated owl pairs have occasionally been observed helping preen each other, particularly during breeding season and as pair bonds form. However, mutual grooming is not very common and most owls rely on self-grooming to keep their feathers in shape.
Some possible reasons owls do not regularly groom each other:
- Most owl species are solitary outside of breeding pairs.
- Their flexible necks allow them to reach all their own areas that need grooming.
- Grooming is a vulnerable time and owls are cautious of predators.
- Their claws are adapted for self-grooming.
That said, grooming between mated pairs may help strengthen social bonds and indicate a level of trust and comfort with a partner owl.
What happens if owls can’t groom themselves?
If an owl loses its ability to groom itself due to injury, disease, or old age, the consequences can be quite severe including:
- Feather matting and damage
- Increased risk of parasites and skin infections
- Loss of ability to fly and hunt effectively
- Hypothermia due to lack of feather insulation
- Reduced water resistance
Rehabilitation specialists will provide assisted grooming to owls in this condition to clear feathers, treat any parasites present, and try to restore flight ability. Sadly, a non-releasable owl may need to be euthanized if their grooming impairment is permanent and impedes survival in the wild.
Interesting facts about owl grooming
- Feathers make up around 10% of an owl’s total body weight.
- Owls have around 7,000 feathers that require regular grooming.
- The preen gland near an owl’s tail produces an oily secretion called preen oil that helps waterproof and condition their feathers.
- An owl’s pectinate claw for grooming looks like a hair comb with fine comb-like teeth.
- Birds spend around 30% of their non-sleeping, non-feeding time on grooming behaviors.
- Feathers are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails and hair.
- Grooming helps owls find a mate by keeping colorful plumage in good condition for courtship displays.
Do different owl species groom the same?
While all owl species groom themselves, some differences may exist between species:
| Species | Grooming Notes |
|---|---|
| Barn Owls | Spend more time grooming than other species since their feathers lack resistance to water and dust. |
| Snowy Owls | Need to frequently groom their dense plumage in cold climates to remove ice crystals. |
| Burrowing Owls | May groom less frequently since their habitat avoids some dirt/debris exposure. |
| Great Horned Owls | Have shorter grooming sessions but groom very frequently. |
| Barred Owls | Spend more time preening their less water-resistant belly feathers. |
However, all owl species still follow the same basic grooming process and depend on it to stay healthy.
Conclusion
In summary, self-grooming is a critical activity for owls. Their specialized beaks, claws, and powder down make them well-equipped for frequent, meticulous grooming sessions. By dedicating time each day to preening, nibbling, scratching, and oiling their feathers, owls can remove debris, distribute waterproofing oils, adjust feathers for smooth flight, monitor feather health, and control parasites. Proper grooming allows owls to maintain the beautiful, complex plumage they depend on for hunting, flying, attracting mates, and insulating in all weather conditions. While mated pairs may occasionally groom each other, self-grooming remains an owl’s primary method for feather maintenance and health.
