# @usfws on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DG8phHGR4pP
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/27728868-usfws-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4a71d14fab.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-03-08T18:00:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@usfws) — https://gondola.cc/usfws

## Caption

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

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 6,697
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 23

## Tags

birdsofinstagram, spottedtowhee, nationalwildliferefuge

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