Bird Term

What is a Brood Patch? Why and When Do Birds Have Them?

A brood patch is a bare area of skin that some birds develop during nesting. The bare skin is an adaptation to help with egg incuabation.

The patch of featherless skin allows the parent bird to provide extra warmth from his or her own body to the eggs in the nest, and to growing, naked, newly-hatched chicks in the first days of life.

Brood Patch on American Robin
Bird banders note brood patch on American Robin by VSPYCC (CC BY 2.0)

Both males and females can develop a brood patch, depending on the species and how incubation duty is shared. In most species, the brood patch develops as feathers are naturally shed during nesting activities. In some species, the brood patch appears through self-plucking. Ducks and geese, for instance, may line their nest with soft breast feathers, exposing the skin.

Canada Goose on Nest
Canada Goose sits on eggs in nest lined with feathers by Bradley Davis (CC BY-ND 2.0)

The location of the brood patch on the adult bird's body depends on the species. Most birds have a single bare patch of skin, while some species may develop two or even three patches.

Fun Fact: Bird banders use the presence of a brood patch to determine if a bird is currently nesting. The presence of a brood patch can also help to sex or age the bird. The patch on most birds is not immediately visible on the bird's body; banders gently blow air on the belly to separate the surrounding feathers to see if a patch is present.

Cute Robin T-Shirts & Gifts

Comments

Andrew on October 21, 2018 at 5:28 PM wrote:
this is a american robin
Andrew on November 22, 2018 at 4:59 AM wrote:
the south american birds
Caroline on June 23, 2021 at 9:56 PM wrote:
cool and I found a Feather of the Canada Robins. Its a white and grey one.

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Meet the Colorful Birdorable Blue-gray Tanager: A Tropical Delight!

Today, we're thrilled to introduce the vibrant and charming Blue-gray Tanager to the Birdorable family! This tropical beauty is sure to captivate bird enthusiasts with its stunning appearance and delightful personality. Blue-gray Tanagers are native to a wide range of habitats, making...

Puerto Rican Amazon: From Endangered to Hopeful

Today's addition to our Birdorable flock is an endangered species of parrot, the beautiful Puerto Rican Amazon. The Puerto Rican Amazon, also known as the Puerto Rican Parrot, is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. Known for its vibrant green feathers, blue-tinted...

Bird Term: Exploring the Crop – How Birds Store and Process Food

The crop is a fascinating aspect of avian anatomy, serving as a crucial part of the digestive system in many bird species. This expandable pouch, typically found at the throat, acts as a storage space for food prior to digestion. While most commonly associated with birds, the crop...

Meet the Black-faced Spoonbill: A Unique and Endangered Bird

Today the Black-faced Spoonbill joins Birdorable! This special bird is native to a small range across eastern Asia. Of all of the six species of spoonbill, the Black-faced Spoonbill has the most limited range, and is the only species...