Why do birds sunbathe?

As the days got shorter and colder, I thought, “What better way to warm up than by talking about the sun?” I usually make special note of my last visit to the restaurant’s patio as I sit enjoying the warmth of the sun during lunch with friends. The feeling of the warm tendrils of the sun on my skin is such a delightful and pleasurable sensation and I am pleased to know that birds are also known to sunbathe and can also do so for enjoyment and relaxation.

Ornithologists have watched sunning since 1831 when John James Audubon witnessed a great white heron engaging in activity. He noted that the bird dropped its wings as if they were dislocated. Other birders have also attested to the fact that basking birds can appear injured while sitting motionless with wings spread or lying on the ground. Birders warn those who come across a bird in this state to be sure to observe the bird carefully before disturbing them, as their behavior may not be due to distress or illness.

According to studies carried out on the behavior of this bird, it is known that more than 50 families bask in the sun. Birds such as chickadees, cormorants, pigeons, finches, jays, larks, swallows and more are said to enjoy basking or “sunning”. However, different varieties of birds may bask at different times of the day and for different reasons.

Birds are said to bask while perched on a branch or on the ground to warm their bodies on cold days, to obtain vitamin D, to help spread essential oils along their feathers, and to dry off after bathroom, as wet wings affect efficiency. light off. The birds also bask in the sun on very hot days and can be seen with their beaks open as if panting like our canine friends. However, it is said that the most important reason birds sunbathe is to get rid of parasites such as feather lice.

Birds can often be seen preening their feathers and must do so to maintain their health and appearance, which directly affects their ability to find a suitable mate in the breeding season. Feather lice are about a millimeter long and are made of keratin, which is the same composition as a bird’s feathers. Eliminating these pesky parasites is often difficult by preening alone and basking in the sun is thought to help birds ward off parasites. Although not fully understood, scientific studies have shown that sunbathing can directly kill lice and higher temperatures can cause lice to move, making it easier for birds to groom themselves.

In short, birds bask in the sun to preserve their general well-being. Also, understanding this maintenance behavior of our feathered friends could potentially aid conservation. Birds that are often basking in the sun may have more parasites, which can not only affect the well-being of the host, but also the well-being of those in close contact. Understanding a bird’s behavior and reaction to changing environmental conditions could shed much-needed information to ensure the longevity of certain species around the world.