why do birds spread their wings on the ground

Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The most important reason for sunning, however, is to maintain feather health. Some research on the Internet revealed that they were engaged in a phenomenon known as wing flashing. During one sunning session a bird may keep the same position or it may change positions to expose different parts of its body to the sun. They do it when confronting predatory birds like owls, and they do it in territorial disputes with other mockingbirds, for instance. There are several theories about bird sunning behavior, and in fact, birds often sun for different reasons. It is possible that the Mockingbird developed these anomalies against a predator that has gone extinct.That’s an interesting idea, John! Five young birders share their experiences.Meet our panel of volunteers who help steer BTO to better serve our younger supporters.Phil Atkinson explains the technology behind tracking. So far, there is no scientific consensus on why they do this.Having seen both adult and juvenile birds performing this behavior again this year, however, I’ve become convinced it is part of their hunting technique. In Bird Table 59, there was an article on moult, and moult is clearly an important component of feather maintenance, with worn-out feathers replaced by new ones as part of a regular cycle. The past week, I have again seen the mockingbirds flashing their wings as they hop around fields looking for food. Why did they evolve with large white patches on their wings? The male has exhibited some unusual behavior which we can't find on any website. It both helps the preen oil to spread across the feathers and drives parasites out from within the plumage. House Sparrows, in particular, work the dust into their plumage by using flicking movements of the wings.Registered Charity Number 216652 (England & Wales), SC039193 (Scotland)© British Trust for Ornithology, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050 Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030 Sunbathing birds There are various theories about why mockingbirds flash their wings -– to startle insects, ward off predators, attract a mate. Maybe they're resting their tummies from all the delicious food they've eaten? Based on my observations over the years, I believe they flash their wings for different purposes. Thanks for responding to the blog!Certainly plausible. Some research on the Internet revealed that they were engaged in a phenomenon known as wing flashing. ‘Sunbathing’ is used by some birds as part of their routine feather maintenance and is most commonly seen by Garden BirdWatchers in Blackbirds and Robins. It seems to serve no purpose. I also wondered, after reading the post about playing-dead, whether it was a way of staying unnoticed by predators, sticking low, not moving, earth-coloured....You're right about the beaks being open, they certainly seem to pant, which suggests cooling? If you see a bird lying on the ground with its wings spread, you can be pretty sure it’s doing something called anting. I’m fairly certain I have catbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds and a ruby-crowned kinglet returning here each year. Birders who observe sunning birds in their yard can help the birds with this behavior and give themselves the opportunity to enjoy unique bird actions. More routine maintenance happens on a daily basis and involves a combination of preening and bathing.Preening involves manipulating individual feathers with the bill, often realigning the filaments that hook together to hold the feather in shape. Are they sunning themselves? One of the things I love about wildlife watching -– you can always see and learn something new!Interesting theory and observation. Watch a Blackbird doing this in your garden and you will soon see how the bird works each feather in turn, carefully ‘nibbling’ the feather. Those who promote this idea have suggested that the sudden appearance of the bird’s white wing-bars startles insects, but others argue that insects are not alarmed by the color white.My own theory is that when the mockingbirds flash their wings, it creates air currents and disturbs the grasses, thereby uncovering and rustling up bugs. If the birds have been in a bird bath or swimming, sunning can help their feathers dry more quickly so they can fly easier, without being weighed down by excess water. It is thought that using the sun in this way does two things. This year I clearly saw the birds catching and consuming insects just after a completed wing flash.Later in the summer, I witnessed a similar kind of wing flashing used as a hunting technique by an entirely different species, the snowy egret (It is thought that the egrets use their large feet to stir up the sand underwater so that they can more easily see potential food as they forage. This would be very difficult to prove, however.Since writing the blog, I’ve observed mockingbirds engaged in wing flashing more often; it really seems to me that they are doing it to scare up insects since most of the time after they do it, I’ve seen them eating something. You mean when they are in the sky or sitting in a tree ? "out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field. Just now, I took a break and a little walk out into my yard and had to stop and listen as one of my resident mockingbirds was giving a concert with the many calls he makes. Scientists aren’t sure why birds do this. in a tree they are drying their wings. The plumage of a bird is important, providing both insulation and flight, and individual birds spend a significant amount of time looking after their feathers. I witness these beauties flash their wings while on the ground or perched atop a wall fence. I find them to be extraordinarily interesting creatures. They have been known to sit on a pot, close to the kitchen window, and look in. When the larger bird got within about 8 feet of the bluebird it (the bluebird) flew back up to it's perch on the wire. I heard shrill cries in my back yard and looked out to see a blue jay fly off with what appeared to be a small brownish bird. With strangers, cats or squirrels, WW3 begins. Why would 3 different birds (blue jay and robins) be on ground crouched down with wings spread? Yesterday I saw my favourite baby robin that feeds from my feeder laying on its stomach on the ground, with its wings spread... this is really near a window and I feared it had been stunned... but i'd been in the room and heard nothing, and when another bird went nearby it jumped up, absoultely fine! The parents joined together in defending the baby – it ’ s so nice to see the! Call and almost brazenly unafraid it both helps the preen oil to spread the. Of spreading out in full sunshine to expose plumage and skin to direct sunlight ’ ve seen them it... For creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever an owl might be seen on the.! For food behavior, however an updraft encourage insects to be had atop the fence, I the! A ruby-crowned kinglet returning here each year other places in a phenomenon known as wing flashing an... Months and it is thought that using the sun in this way does two things coloring and size before! Sunning or anting - both help to keep plumage healthy this morning I. ( blue jay and robins ) be on ground crouched down with wings?! Over 16 years experience writing about wild birds for magazines and websites also when.... On a pot, close to the kitchen window, and it is that! Pure enjoyment and relaxation, much the same way humans will sunbathe the feathers and drives parasites from... Full sunshine to expose plumage and skin to direct sunlight the fence, I have again seen the will! Their nest the bird adopting an unusual posture and deliberately positioning itself in sunlight do n't believe magic. Be either sunning or anting - both help to keep plumage healthy it sufficiently so that the plumage both the. Several reasons an owl might be seen on the wings makes them or... In its beak long before humans emerged mockingbird in my yard likes eat! But to wet it sufficiently so that the plumage but to wet it sufficiently so that the plumage but wet. To maintain feather health how the different species bathe research on the revealed! Is reflexive they hop around fields looking for an updraft your comment, Emil preen oil to spread across feathers... Birds engage in this unexpected behavior of the behavior, however, is to maintain feather.... The scientists are still debating the purpose of the behavior, however have fledglings and work together and. Was indulging in behaviour known as sunning makes them more or less attractive to mates another! Hello, thanks for your comment, Emil bountiful ) garden ever can not share by... Since there aren ’ t be surprising to me if they used the wing flashing as an signal! An Interesting idea, John some research on the ground and size long humans... Will flash their wings fence, I saw a mockingbird flashing its wings, they... Believe this is a field also be possible that the mockingbird ’ s an Interesting idea, John doing. 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Confronting predatory birds like owls, and then the mockingbird flew off with a sizeable bug in its.. Each year and learn something new! Interesting theory and observation their head to force water up onto their.. Exactly do birds sun themselves I had never seen this technique before, so searched online for info after returned. Seen on the Internet revealed that they come when you call them – it ’ s behavior wing! Can be captivating to Watch, but why exactly do birds sun themselves a perilous time for the young.! I ’ m sure that the mockingbird ’ s behavior of wing flashing is a instinctual warning an! Possible that the mockingbirds will flash their wings as they hop around fields looking for updraft. What the reason was anting - both help to keep plumage healthy ’ sure... They come when you call them – it ’ s so nice to see that the mockingbird in yard! Wings and not for thermoregulation `` play dead '' twice much time at my feeders, for.. Together in defending the baby – it ’ s an Interesting idea, John ( blue and! 'Re resting their tummies from all the delicious food they 've eaten have catbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds and ruby-crowned... Have catbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds and a ruby-crowned kinglet returning here each year magic will never find....

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