Birds are undoubtedly among nature’s most complex creations! They’ve evolved to develop so many adaptations that we’d have to write books to mention them all! Today we’ll focus on their mysterious yet charming fluffing-up behavior.
Birds fluff up their feathers for multiple reasons. They do so while preening, warming up, cooling down, or right before going to sleep, as if they tuck themselves in! Birds also fluff up their plumage during courtship displays or for territoriality purposes. It may also be a sign of an illness.
If you’re curious to discover more fascinating details, keep reading, as we’ve got plenty!
Table of Contents
Why Do Birds Fluff Up Their Feathers?
Most of the time, birds fluff up their feathers for positive reasons, such as preening, sunbathing, or warming up. Other times, however, this behavior may be a symptom of an illness, especially if other symptoms appear. Therefore, it’s highly important to observe whether the birds show any other abnormal behaviors. If they don’t, just enjoy the sight of them becoming all fluffy and adorable!
1. Preening
Birds engage in a maintenance behavior called preening, during which they use their beaks to interlock separated feather barbules, position their feathers, and keep their plumage clean. Additionally, they may check for ectoparasites in the process.
During preening, birds fluff up their feathers to position the feather barbules. Then, by gathering oil produced by their oil glands, they spread it with their beaks through their feathers. The oil, in addition to other benefits, makes the feathers waterproof.
So if you see a bird fluffing up and using its beak to go through its plumage, it’s undoubtedly preening. This maintenance behavior is typically done after rolling in dust (another maintenance avian behavior).
2. Warming Up
If you’ve ever wondered how birds stay warm during winter, the answer is precisely in this fluffing-up behavior.
Besides staying close to each other or, as scientists call it, engaging in communal roosting, birds will also fluff up their feathers during the winter. This way, they create an additional layer of air where body heat is trapped. They can control how much air is trapped by arranging their feathers in different ways. However, to be able to do this, they must have clean and dry feathers, so this is typically done after preening.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is an essential part of a bird’s daily routine. While enjoying the sun, many birds fluff their feathers up and even hold out one or both wings.
Ornithologists suggest that this sunbathing method allows the preen oil to spread evenly across the plumage. Additionally, it encourages parasites, if any, to find a new home.
4. Protection or Territoriality
If they sense any threats, birds may fluff up their feathers to appear bigger in front of predators. This may scare them away and keep the birds safe.
Some species also fluff up their feathers for territorial purposes while trying to intimidate their rivals.
5. Courtship Display
As you probably already know, most bird species have a specific courtship display used to attract mates during the breeding season. These displays are performed by the males trying to impress the females in the vicinity.
The displays vary greatly between the species, but they may share some elements, like the fluffing-up technique. When they get all fluffy, the males appear bigger and stronger, which is of great importance for females, as it means that the potential mate will be able to protect and provide for them.
6. Cooling Down
We’re now aware that birds fluff up their feathers to stay warm in the winter. But how do they cool down in the summer?
Well, it turns out that fluffing up their feathers does wonders in the summer, too! When they overheat, birds rely on this behavior to release some body heat. Additionally, they may hold their wings out and pant (yes, just like dogs, cats, and other animals!).
Besides this, birds may also take more frequent baths during the summer and spend more time resting.
7. Preparing To Sleep
If you’ve ever seen a bird sleeping with its feathers fluffed up, there’s no need to worry; this is absolutely normal! They do so because the fluffed feathers make for a better body cover. This way, they stay warm while sleeping.
This fluffing-up behavior is most often observed when it is cold or when the temperatures drop significantly at night.
8. Excitement
Some pet owners reported that their birds usually get all fluffy when they pet them. This may be a sign of happiness, excitement, and comfort.
This behavior is typically observed in parrots, which are known to be highly social and content when people are around.
They may also fluff up when you give them a treat or when they’re anticipating some fun activities around the house!
9. Sign of an Illness
Although most of the time this behavior is associated with a positive thing, sometimes it may be a symptom of an underlying illness.
So if you see a bird sitting fluffed up much of the day and you can’t seem to connect this behavior with anything else, it may be time to check for other symptoms and take it to a veterinarian (if it’s a pet) or a wildlife rehabilitator (if it’s a wild bird) if necessary.
Here are some other signs of sickness or injuries:
- The bird bobs its tail when it breathes and, at the same time, keeps its feathers fluffed up.
- The bird sleeps too much.
- The bird has an odd posture when it relaxes.
- The bird doesn’t want to eat, or it throws up undigested food.
- The bird keeps its eyes half-closed or closed.
- The bird produces discolored or runny poop, or the poop sticks to the vent feathers.
- The feathers are poorly preened.
- Any sign of blood is a bad sign.