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/
7,916 followers
3,279 followers
It is not only Corvids (crows, ravens et) that do this, #anting, but many bird species Helpful expert sources too…
257 followers
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
1,621 followers
@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