[Va-bird] Bluebird behaviour explained
- From: "Liezel Dsouza" <LDsouza@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:49:28 -0400
BTW - the egg that was in the box was a cowbird. I removed it. Have not
had any repeats yet. Still have 3 bb eggs and counting down to my
chicks!
Many thanks to the folks that responded to my question. A lot of you
requested that I send the explanation to the listserv, so here goes ...
So, they are not begging for food or water.
Here are the detailed responses that I received:
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From Michael Colopy
"Yes, actually it is fairly common among several bird species,
especially during and following nest building when they have un usual
levels of exposure to insects and parasites on the ground on a regular
basis due to collecting grasses and other decaying or dead weedy
materials and visiting the nest as it is constructed. The purpose of the
wing and tail fanning in a reclined position appears to be to help them
rid themselves of mites and other skin irritants by exposing the
reclusive parasites to direct sunlight. Cardinals do it regularly after
their Spring molt is complete as do flickers and mourning doves.
Subsequently, the birds will roost and go through their feathers with
their beaks to smooth out the ruffles and remove unwelcome insect
visitors.
Blue Jays accomplish something similar but do it using ants as grooming
tools, holding the ant firmly so as to trigger the ant's release of its
chemical defenses and then using that deposit to protect the bird's own
feathers from other insects.
Michael
"
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From a friend of Julie Kacmarcik's:
", To see this for the first time, you would think that the bird is
dying!!!
I have seen this many times because I rehab bluebirds (and did other
species for ten years).They are "sunning" and it is similar to dust
bathing and to bathing in water. To get clean, to remove parasites, to
stimulate the oil gland. It is to allow sunshine to penetrate between
some of the feathers and expose some skin (quite often the neck) but not
enough to damage their bodies. As you can see they have to breath
through their mouths because they are hot. I think they may close their
eyes, but I have not bothered to look carefully. They may be doing this
instead of "anting," and ornithologists think that jays stroke their
feathers with live ants so the ants will release (formic) acid which may
kill the mites and lice that some birds seem to have - jays more than
other species.
In fact, Rita Snyder, a good friend who was banding with me today, said
that her husband saw a barn swallow do this recently. "
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Thanks,
Liezel
Other related posts:
- » [Va-bird] Bluebird behaviour explained - Liezel Dsouza
