Editing Bird (section)

===Feather care===
{{Main|Preening}}
Feathers, being critical to the survival of a bird, require maintenance. Apart from physical wear and tear, feathers face the onslaught of fungi, [[ectoparasitic]] feather mites and [[Bird louse|bird lice]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The alterations of plumage of parasitic origin|first1=Principato|last1=Mario|first2=Lisi|last2=Federica|first3=Moretta|last3=Iolanda|first4=Samra|last4=Nada|first5=Puccetti|last5=Francesco|journal=Italian Journal of Animal Science|volume=4|issue=3|pages=296–299|year=2005|doi=10.4081/ijas.2005.296 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The physical condition of feathers are maintained by {{Birdgloss|preening}} often with the application of secretions from the {{Birdgloss|preen gland}}. Birds also bathe in water or dust themselves. While some birds dip into shallow water, more aerial species may make aerial dips into water and arboreal species often make use of dew or rain that collect on leaves. Birds of arid regions make use of loose soil to dust-bathe. A behaviour termed as [[Anting (bird activity)|anting]] in which the bird encourages ants to run through their plumage is also thought to help them reduce the ectoparasite load in feathers. Many species will spread out their wings and expose them to direct sunlight and this too is thought to help in reducing fungal and ectoparasitic activity that may lead to feather damage.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Auk |volume=121|issue=4|pages=1262–1268| year=2004| doi=10.1642/0004-8038(2004)121[1262:BAFAOA]2.0.CO;2| title=Bactericidal and fungicidal activity of ant chemicals on feather parasites: an evaluation of anting behavior as a method of self-medication in songbirds| first1=Hannah C. |last1=Revis|first2=Deborah A. |last2=Waller |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=The Open Ornithology Journal|year=2010|volume=3|pages=41–71|doi=10.2174/1874453201003010041|title=How Birds Combat Ectoparasites|first1=Dale H.|last1=Clayton|first2=Jennifer A.H.|last2=Koop|first3=Christopher W.|last3=Harbison|first4=Brett R.|last4=Moyer|first5=Sarah E.|last5=Bush|doi-access=free}}</ref>