Blackbirds Sunbathing? (1 Viewer)

[GrahamR]

Hi All,

Over the past couple of days i have seen our male blackbird, and one of our three baby blackbirds sunbathing (at least thats what i think it is).

They seem to get a nice sunny spot and tuck their legs under their body, just like when you see ducks sitting down out of the water.

The first time i saw them doing it i thought it was hurt and rushed out panicking to see what had happened, only to find it jump up and fly away!

I know this is a pretty pointless post, but has anyone else seen any birds doing this?

Regards

Graham

 

[helenol]

This is a regular sighting in my garden too, especially last year with the hot summer.

They also "pant" similar to dogs. Is this a mechanism for keeping cool I wonder - or were my eyes deceiving me?

 

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Hi Graham - this is not a pointless post!!! I have seen this sort of behaviour too - spreading out their wings and basking in the sun - and appearing to pant as Helen mentioned.

 

[GrahamR]

Thanks for the replies,

I have not notcied them panting, i will be looking for that next time.

Graham

 

[GrahamR]

Have you seen this behaviour just with blackbirds?

 

[judge9847]

Sunbathing Blackbirds - for sure

A sunbathing blackbird has become a very regular feature in our garden over the last few days. It comes in, settles itself down into the exact same spot each time - thought the direction it faces isn't always the same - extends it's wings and tail feathers, cocks it's head to one side, opens it's mouth and seems, as you say, to pant very quickly.

Then it stays very, very still for quite long periods, sometimes over 10 minutes. It'll do it several times a day until the sun moves across the sky. And everytime I've noticed it, once the sunbathing's done, it'll shoot off to the water bowl and drink quite deeply.

Twenty minutes later or thereabouts it'll come back and do it all again.

Today, another blackbird wandered over to it and had a quick look to see what was going on. Distinctly unimpressed, off he went again. The sunbather didn't move at all !!

I've attached (I hope) a photo I took on 28th May '04 at close to noon.

And by the way, the very first bird I watched sunbathing was a robin. He did it twice but oddly enough, he also used exactly the same spot on the ground.

 

[Michael Frankis]

Amazing the way they manage to look so totally flaked out!

Michael

 

[malkc]

Sorry for the late reply ,

Yes , I see my Blackbirds doing this all the time . Sunning and singing ...

What a great life ..

Malcolm

 

[Alastair Rae]

I think this behaviour is "anting": http://birds.ecoport.org/Behaviour/EBanting.htm
The bird is using ants to kill parasites.

 

[Kevin]

Amazing the way they manage to look so totally flaked out!

Michael

It reminds me of the misses, right after she's done the washing-up after Sunday lunch

 

[judge9847]

I think this behaviour is "anting": http://birds.ecoport.org/Behaviour/EBanting.htm
The bird is using ants to kill parasites.

Alastair, that's quite an amazing theory and a very interesting article you've linked to. I can't see an ants nest or run in that particular spot and I've only ever seen it done in bright sunlight but it's certainly a very interesting thought!

And Kevin! I didn't realise the English were that brave ... I'm certainly not!

 

[Euan Buchan]

The first time i saw them doing it i thought it was hurt and rushed out panicking to see what had happened, only to find it jump up and fly away!

I was like that too panicked and was like whats the number for the RSPCA then I saw it take off andf fly away I was realived it wasn't hurt

 

[Marmot]

We must have some layed back Blackbirds in Cleveland, I looked out the patio window and saw this alternate version.

 

[Goofyy]

Sunbathing etc

I've also had a femal blackbird 'sunbathing'. I was concerned she was epileptic. It seemed she had trouble closing her beak afterwards. She does this right outside the bush where she has been keeping her baby.

I actually found this forum looking for info on blackbird behavior. This female is feeding her little one without a male's help. Is this normal for the species? Oddly, I am not seeing the males around that were abundant a month or so ago.

My female has learned I put seeds out for her, and that she can ask for more. She always announces her arrival. Understand, the seeds go out within 3 feet of where I sit. I talk to her.

To my joy, she finally brought out her baby for me to see (she called to me to look at them on the fence). And now, maybe a week later, she brings the baby to the seed pile while I sit and watch. The little one is more frightened of me than the mother, but it too has learned I am okay, within the last couple days.

Its rather amusing, the baby definitly prefers his mother to stuff his face, but he will now eat some seeds without her help. Today he discovered his own reflection in some water I had placed near the seeds.

 

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Goofyy,

Welcome to BirdForum! - glad you found the info here useful.

The males are probably moulting (growing a new set of feathers) at the moment, and when they're doing this, they keep a very low profile as they can't fly as well as usual. Or it is always possible that your local male was got by a cat or whatever.

Michael

 

[bristolbirder]

I see Blackbirds and also Dunnocks sunbathing on my lawn quite regularly, spreading their wings to face the sun. I think it triggers a gland that produces oils to keep the feathers in good condition.

Steve

 

[gillian]

When the sun was at its hottest last week we had a great tit sunning itself on and off for ages. (I hope I have attached a photo)

Along came a tree sparrow to have a go too but sadly at that point the children all rushed in and off went the birds before I could snap it!

Gillian