preens

Preens is the third-person singular present tense of the verb preen, meaning to groom or tidy oneself, or to arrange and care for one’s appearance. In ordinary use, it can describe primping or self-care; in scientific contexts it refers to the grooming behavior of birds and some other animals.

In birds, preening is a routine, feather-care activity conducted with the beak. The bird cleans and realigns feathers, smooths shafts, and removes dirt or parasites. A key part of preening is spreading oil from the uropygial gland, located at the base of the tail, across the plumage to condition feathers, aid waterproofing, and help maintain feather integrity. Preening often involves stretching, head movements, and sometimes scratching with the feet. In many species, preening is not only a personal maintenance behavior but also a social one when it takes the form of allopreening, where individuals mutually preen to reinforce social bonds or reduce tension.

Outside of avian biology, preening describes self-presentational behavior in humans and other animals. It can refer to grooming and dressing to enhance appearance, signal status, or attract mates. In social psychology and discourse, preening may be viewed neutrally as routine self-care or negatively as vanity or performative self-promotion, depending on context and intent.

Overall, preening encompasses automated bodily maintenance in birds and more voluntary, culturally influenced self-presentation in humans. Its study spans ethology, physiology, and social science, illustrating how grooming behaviors serve both functional needs and social signaling.