Chemical compostition of the preen gland secretions from some ciconiiform birds.

The preen waxes from four Ciconiiformes species are shown to be ester waxes of very different composition. Three species possess monoester waxes with branched wax acids and alcohols. In one of these waxes, homologous series of ethyl-substituted constituents are observed. In contrast to this, the uropygial gland secretion of the marabou is a triglyceride mixture.