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Story: Penguins

Erect-crested penguins preening

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Erect-crested penguins preening

During the breeding season, penguins engage in pair-bonding activity such as mutual preening, especially in those awkward places around the face and under the chin. Like most feathered and haired animals, they harbour their own specially adapted species of ticks and lice. Penguins spend a lot of time preening, to maintain the feathers in good condition. Spreading oil from their preening gland helps keep them waterproof.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10056355

by Tui De Roy

Courtesy of Roving Tortoise Worldwide Nature Photography

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How to cite this page

Lloyd Spencer Davis, Penguins – Crested penguins, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/6413/erect-crested-penguins-preening (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Lloyd Spencer Davis, published 2 March 2009.