When it comes to ducks, what makes water roll off of a duck's back?
It's kind of freaky.
"Stay awhile and listen."article:
https://www.kqed.org/science/1968261/what-actually-makes-water-roll-off-a-ducks-backQuote
Aquatic birds coat their feathers with an oily substance known as preen oil, which is secreted from a gland on their rumps, above their tail feathers. This gland, known as the uropygial or preen gland, is present in nearly all birds, but its shape and size varies among species.
According to Jack Dumbacher, curator of ornithology and mammalogy at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, aquatic birds tend to have much larger and more developed preen glands than terrestrial birds, which isn’t surprising because 'they have to apply oil more regularly,' he said.
Imagine if we had a similar preen gland where when outdoors and it is raining, we would draw from that gland enough preen oil to cover the hair on the tops of our heads and other exposed surface areas. No umbrellas necessary nor Gortex jackets. Huge savings.
Now, would you run your fingers through your love's hair if they had applied preen oil? That is the million dollar question.
