Fun fact: many birds do a thing called anting, where they place (typically) ants on their body, or they lie down & "bathe" in ants. Lots of ideas why this is done but no solid answers https://t.co/quJlKIykwi https://t.co/36kgkADzbV Watch: https://t.co/
It is not only Corvids (crows, ravens et) that do this, #anting, but many bird species Helpful expert sources too…
Robin 'anting'. Possible reasons: 1 lice control. Formic acid from ants 2 feather grooming 3 decreasing skin irritation during molt 4 food prep - rids ants of formic acid before eating etc https://t.co/Jbow8DuSSF https://t.co/PaHz3uV3Mp
@biobabbler I have seen some Woodpeckers anting. I uderstandvit is thought they do it to "apply" the Formic acid to their feathers as an "insect repellant" Here is a link to an abstract on the topic: https://t.co/XWT849EO5c
@michaelmas79 @_BTO Hi Mike, interesting observation! Anting (application of ants or 'substitutes' to their plumage) is thought to help with maintaining feathers, getting rid of parasites. There's an interesting paper about it here: https://t.co/J1JPi2ImXS