Birdwatch Note Rating
2024-04-01 16:38:12 UTC - HELPFUL
Rated by Participant: 2E60A57C8C14DAB05252B23DAEF3C6D114064321BAFA88C0364D29ECC5AE5561
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Original Note:
Duck feathers are not inherently hydrophobic. The feathers are covered in hydrophobic oil that ducks spread over their feathers. The oil comes from their uropygial gland and they manually spread it over their feathers using their beak in a process known as “preening” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uropygial%20gland https://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/discover-nature-notes/water-ducks-back#:~:text=This%20makes%20water%20literally%20roll,feathers%20and%20keep%20them%20waterproof.
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