Birds are unique in the animal kingdom in having feathers, and those feathers are important to many aspects of their lives. For this reason, birds preen and bathe their feathers quite frequently. By preening and bathing, they remove sticky and oily substances, remove parasites, maintain flight readiness, and keep feathers arranged and waterproof. There is a routine that birds often go through that starts with a bath, then preening, and finally, a whole body fluffing. That last step helps to put all the clean feathers back in place and dislodge any debris that was removed during preening. Birds can also fluff up their feathers for a few other reasons. They can do it in order to help stay warm when it’s chilly outside or in order to look larger when frightened or confronted. My favorite reason that birds fluff up, though, is when it’s an indication of relaxation and contentment. That’s what this male cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was doing. He had just finished eating, had preened a little and was in a comfortable, safe spot. Who wouldn’t be feeling pretty content with a full belly, a clean body, and a safe place to rest.