Preening is an essential part of a bird’s life and well-being. All birds preen their feathers to keep them in good shape and for those birds with an oil gland, like this American Avocet, preening serves to distribute oil on the feathers to waterproof them. It was our last morning on Bolivar Flats in Texas. The American Avocets were fishing in the surf. This one, in full breeding plumage (the rust-orange feathers are breeding plumage) stopped to preen while standing in the shallow water. Watching them preen and fish was a great ending for a great week of beach panning!