Sun bathing Jackdaws / Probably Anting Jackdaws!

[Mikbone]

I have never seen Jackdaws doing this before?.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

I have never seen Jackdaws doing this before?.View attachment 14458View attachment 14459

Nice catch, Mick.

I think he is anting. I photographed a young fledgling crow once doing that. He would literally run and dive into ant hills to disturb the ants, make them angry. Ants secrete some type of acid when they're provoked that kill the parasites on the bird. Birds' nests are full of parasites and are often a real pest to young birds. This is a way to get rid of them.

 

[Mikbone]

Nice catch, Mick.

I think he is anting. I photographed a young fledgling crow once doing that. He would literally run and dive into ant hills to disturb the ants, make them angry. Ants secrete some type of acid when they're provoked that kill the parasites on the bird. Birds' nests are full of parasites and are often a real pest to young birds. This is a way to get rid of them.

Ahh, I did wonder about this as I have never seen this behaviour before, that makes a whole lot more sense than them sunning themselves, thank you Levina, another lesson learnt