| Bird sun bathing( sunning) is common among some
birds.but why exactly do birds sun themselves?
Bird sunning is the act of spreading out in full
sunshine to expose plumage to direct sunlight.In
cold weather or early in the day, birds sun
themselves for warmth by taking advantage of solar
radiation. This allows them to maintain their body
temperature without expending as much energy from
food, and it can increase their chances of
survival in cold climates or when food is scarce.
The most important reason for sunning, however, is
to maintain feather health. Sunning can dislodge
feather parasites because the excess heat will
encourage insects to move to other places in a
bird's plumage. This will give the bird easier
access to get rid of those parasites when
preening, and birds are frequently seen preening
immediately after sunning. It is essential to get
rid of these parasites – the tiny insects that
infect feathers can cause problems for a bird's
flight, insulation and appearance, all of which
can impact its survival. |
