Birds are very dependent on having healthy feathers and therefore spend quite a bit of time on taking care of them. Earlier today I watched this handsome male cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) carefully preening each feather on his wings, tail, and back. He worked tirelessly and it took him quite a while, giving plenty of time to every one. When he finally finished, he fluffed out all of his feathers and gave a good shake. Birds often do this after finishing preening and it helps to remove any loose debris as well as getting the feathers to lay back in place once they are clean. Watching a bird preen and fluff itself is always fascinating and it always gives me the feeling of getting a glimpse into their private lives.