This bird may look like it’s playing in the dirt, but it’s actually keeping its feathers clean.
A bird dust bath is also called dusting. Birds do this as a way to take care of their feathers, keeping them clean and well maintained.
Have you ever seen a bird that looks like it has lost its marbles a bit, sitting in the dirt flapping its wings? I’ve seen lots of birds do that and always found it bizarre. It seems so contrary to me to sit in the dirt and dust and cover yourself with it. Some big mammals, like elephants, do it to stay cool in the heat, but that’s not why birds do it. Read on my faithful reader to learn why birds take a dust bath.
Photo via Flickr.
What Is A Bird Dust Bath?
Some birds, most often sparrows, wrens, and other small song birds will take a bird dust bath. This is when a bird sits on the ground in the dirt and dust and begins waving its wings around. It is covering itself with dirt and dust and rubbing it into its feathers.
Birds often congregate in good spots and a slight depression will form in the ground where they like to sit and bathe.
Check out this cool video that shows some sparrows taking a dust bath. Just turn down the volume if the music is too much for you.
Bird Dust Bath – Why Do They Do It?
Birds do this as a regular part of their grooming or feather maintenance. As I’ve talked about before, it takes a lot of time to keep feathers in good shape and condition, such as preening.
Birds, especially those in hotter, drier places, take these dust baths to keep their feathers in top shape. The dust and dirt absorbs extra oils that the bird has on its feathers. Remember, birds put oil on their feathers as part of their regular preening. Some oil is good, but too much is a bad thing and needs to be removed.
After the dust and dirt has absorbed oil it is shed.
Regular dust baths are also a good way for birds to keep down lice, mites, and other parasites.
Birds feathers are incredibly important for birds and its crucial that they be kept it top condition. Well maintained feathers allow birds to fly, keep them warm, and looking good.
The next time you are out and see a bird going into frantic motions in the dirt you’ll know what it’s doing.