Red-necked Grebe

[James Lemon]

• Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe ingests large quantities of its own feathers. The stomach retains two distinct masses (balls) of feathers, and their function is unknown. One hypothesis suggests that the feathers help protect the lower digestive tract from bones and other hard, indigestible material. The Red-necked Grebe also feeds its feathers to its young.
  

 

[Asher Kelman]

• Like other grebes, the Red-necked Grebe ingests large quantities of its own feathers. The stomach retains two distinct masses (balls) of feathers, and their function is unknown. One hypothesis suggests that the feathers help protect the lower digestive tract from bones and other hard, indigestible material. The Red-necked Grebe also feeds its feathers to its young.View attachment 11774

Yes, it does then seem likely it’s trying to protect its young .

But it might also be influencing the bacterial makeup of the microbiome of the hatchlings gut!

 

[James Lemon]

Yes, it does then seem likely it’s trying to protect its young .

But it might also be influencing the bacterial makeup of the microbiome of the hatchlings gut!

You may be on to something Asher ?