uropygial gland

noun Ornithology.

a gland opening on the back at the base of the tail in most birds that secretes an oily fluid used by the bird in preening its feathers.

Origin of uropygial gland

First recorded in 1865–70

Also called oil gland, preen gland.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for uropygial gland

uropygial gland

noun

a gland, situated at the base of the tail in most birds, that secretes oil used in preening

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