Blackbirds 'sunning' (1 Viewer)

[bill moss]

Hi folks,

In looking around the garden during the recent hot weather I saw several Blackbirds 'sunning' and it occured to me that there may be some of you who have not seen this behaviour and might be worried about the bird being sick.

So here are some photos of birds sunning and note that this is a normal behaviour. The theory is that the u/v in the sunlight stimulates their preen gland.

The first 2 are recent and show the initial stance which, if undisturbed, may develop to the full spread as in 3 and 4. Photo 5 is unusual with 2 birds sunning together, the only time that I've ever seen this; these were juveniles and probably siblings, which would explain.

As far as I know these were/are all perfectly healthy birds and were seen running around and feeding later.

Bill.

 

[Renee Redstart]

That was very thoughtful of you to put these on Bill. It will allay unnecessary worries. I think I witnessed this behaviour last summer, and checked against my bird books where it mentions sunbathing and shows a photo.

 

[Kits]

I hope you rushed out with some Factor 25, Bill! They are lovely pictures. I have seen our blackies and our wood pigeons do it, but never two birds together. You can almost hear them going, "Aaaah!" as they enjoy the warmth.

 

[Fiona_Morton]

I always think its really quite touching to see birds so relaxed and at ease, especially if they choose to feel like that in your garden. It shows that they feel safe and secure there. I saw a blackbird sunning itself on an infrequently used path nearby, but only for a moment as it disappeared as soon as it saw me. I've also been watching the pigeons sunbathing on the shed roof, I have a couple of digiscoped pictures below. My birdbath has been proving very popular in the recent warm weather, and the woodpigeon is great to watch. It stands in the middle, then starts washing, then it'll take a drink and wash again. Then it does something strange...it lies almost on its side and sticks one wing straight up in the air and holds this posistion for a few moments before splashing away again. I find it very amusing. Pehaps its helping to dry its wet feathers?

 

[Sue Wright]

Brilliant photos Bill! Yours also Fiona,

Remember that Great Tit I wrote about on the beeb board all that time ago Bill? It was doing exactly as your prostate Blackie in No3 shows. Is that the actual gland/gland area showing through on yours...any ideas?

Saw a couple of Rooks doing the self same thing last week, juvenile Blackies here too!

Love, Sue

 

[Ant]

Nice photos bill

If you look at their faces it looks like they are finding in pleasurable.

 

[bill moss]

Hi folks,

Sue; yes, the pink lump that you can see at the base of the tail in photo 3 is the bird's preen gland. You don't often see it quite as exposed as that but I'm told that that's what it's all about.

Fiona; nice shots of the Pigeon. That's how most of them start, just a bit spread out and then if they feel safe they go on to the more extreme postures. The Woodpigeon in the bath is a different thing, that's a variant of the 'wing-raising' when it's raining, presumably to get the axilla wetted. I've seen them do what you say but never quite understood why they bother as it seems just to lift the wing out of the water.

There is another form of 'spreading' that birds do, again Blackbirds seem to do it especially, called 'anting' where the bird spreads itself over an ants nest and encourages the ants to swarm among it's feathers; they even appear to pick up ants and put them into their plumage. It's supposed to have to do with formic acid from the ants killing off parasites. I've never seen it myself unfortunately.

All interesting stuff I find. Bill.

 

[Liebchen]

Hi Bill and everyone

This is certainly strange looking behaviour to anybody that doesn't not know about it. I've seen birds to this but never so close up so thank you Bill for the photos.

I've seen a crow anting not so long ago whilst waiting for the bus. At first I thought the poor thing had a broken wing as it seemed to drag it along the floor. It was only when the crow turned around and doing the same with the other wing that I realise that it was anting. It was also picking things from the floor which must have been the ants and placing them onto its back. It was so fascinating to watch I nearly missed the bus.

Happy birdies, Liebchen

 

[BazR]

Hi Marion.
I didn't know that Crows used buses; one learns something everyday. LOL!! Sorry about that love, I couldn't resist. I was going to mention 'anting' but Bill beat me to it. Like you, I have seen it and it is fascinating. Forgive my silliness.

All the very best.
Baz.

 

[Renee Redstart]

Hi Marion.
I didn't know that Crows used buses; one learns something everyday. LOL!! Sorry about that love, I couldn't resist. I was going to mention 'anting' but Bill beat me to it. Like you, I have seen it and it is fascinating. Forgive my silliness.

All the very best.
Baz.

Perhaps they're fed up with people saying "As the Crow flies", and thought they'd try a bus route! 3
And they are good at queuing, as they proved in my garden while waiting behind the squirrel to eat ground food.
Let's have some silliness after the sadness, eh?

 

[Sue Wright]

Hi Marion.
I didn't know that Crows used buses; one learns something everyday. LOL!! Sorry about that love, I couldn't resist. I was going to mention 'anting' but Bill beat me to it. Like you, I have seen it and it is fascinating. Forgive my silliness.

All the very best.
Baz.

Never mind Baz, you made me laugh when I pictured one waiting in the queue for the boss, moaning about the sun being too strong too! We need a giggle at times Baz, good for you.

Love, Sue.

 

[lapwing1]

It is coincidental you mention this Bill because my other half (who is not so much into birds) turned into our drive recently and a blackbird was flat out sunning, wings spread and beak agape. Well, OH got into rescue mode and put the brakes on, leapt out the car door to "save" this distressed bird only for his patient to take umbrage and take off scolding in the way Blackbird's know best at the idiotic person who disturbed his sunbathing!

 

[bill moss]

Hi Lapwing,

Yes they do don't they (Blackbirds I mean).

Anyway, Brownie points to your Anchor for being willing to help.

 

[Liebchen]

Hi Marion.
I didn't know that Crows used buses; one learns something everyday. LOL!! Sorry about that love, I couldn't resist. I was going to mention 'anting' but Bill beat me to it. Like you, I have seen it and it is fascinating. Forgive my silliness.

All the very best.
Baz.

I'm glad my slightly wonky English has given you all something to smile about. Glad to be of service. :'D

And yes Baz I'll forgive you. o

Happy birdies, Liebchen

 

[Judo]

Hi Bill & All,
Lovely photos as ever Bill, yours too Fiona. Here's my contribution, a Starling enjoying the sun in my garden.
All the Best to All, Judo.

 

[bill moss]

Hi Judo,

Nice shots, they do seem to enjoy themselves don't they.


Bill.

 

[BazR]

Hi Judo.

What more can I say, cracking.

All the best.
Baz.