This Bird Carries Water in His Feathers for Chicks

A male Namaqua Sandgrouse can carry water across the desert in specialized belly feathers — bringing it back to chicks that cannot yet travel far enough to reach water themselves. In the dry landscapes of southern Africa, food and water can be separated by considerable distances. Young sandgrouse can walk and forage soon after hatching, but during this early stage they still depend on an extraordinary adaptation. At a waterhole, the male soaks specialized feathers on his lower belly. Their microscopic structure helps retain water between the feather elements. He then carries that water back across the dry landscape, where the chicks can take it directly from his wet plumage. This is not a pouch, a sponge, or a stream of water. It is a remarkable biological adaptation to raising young in an arid environment. Follow Unbelievable Wings for more unusual bird behavior, survival stories, and hidden adaptations from the natural world. #NamaquaSandgrouse #BirdBehavior #Wildlife