Have you ever seen a bird with a missing tail? It happens! Like lizards, birds can drop their tail to escape a predator. They can also lose their tail feathers due to stress or fear. For a bird, a tail is vital for stability, on the ground or in flight, and serves as a brake during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, birds replace all their feathers each year through a process known as molting, and this spotted towhee will begin growing new feathers soon. Photo by Johnny Bradley/USFWS at San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. #nationalwildliferefuge #birdsofinstagram #spottedtowhee