Just seen this Crow strutting around my meadow (sorry lawn..don't look TJ)..it kept walking back to the same place and laying down, i'm wondering if it's sitting down on Ants to get clean?
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Could well be. Other birds do the same. Ants spray formic acid when disturbed which kills the fleas on the birds.
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I never cease to be amazed at how much I didn't know I didn't know.
Clever birds - but sounds painful!
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Well I never, - knew about birds using formic acid as an insecticide. It's amazing the knowledge and experience which can be passed on in the bird world.
Doggie, really interesting post.
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
ive seen black birds do this was wondering what they were up too, now i know
The other thing they like to do is dust bath in mole hills, very entertaining to watch.
Caroline in Jersey
The blackbirds will be sun bathing, see them all the time in the garden
Green woodpeckers are well known for this pactice with ants
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Looks more like sunbathing, but it could be anting. When corvids ant (ours love cider - I think it's the bubbles!) they take beakfuls and swipe the stuff through their feathers. I've seen starlings lying on anthills and swiping the ants through their wings.
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
sun bathing it is a birds life hey
wishing i had the time for that too