Birds sunbathe too – not all species, but many do.
It is thought that sunbathing is part of a bird’s feather maintenance programme. Keeping feathers in good condition is essential to flight. In addition to simply enjoying the warmth of the sun, the heat might help spread preening oils in the feathers. Another possible reason for sunbathing is that the warmth may dislodge parasites.
I noticed this Collared Sunbird lying down in the sun among the leaves of a Tree Fuchsia (Halleria lucida) one morning when I was hanging out the washing. Initially I thought it might be ill, and I retreated to watch it from a distance and I took a few photos. It was so relaxed and the way it kept adjusting its posture it became evident it was enjoying the warmth. After it looked in my direction a little warily, I went indoors and left it to enjoy the sun in peace
Sunbathing birds can adopt rather strange postures so that they can appear to be sick or injured. The large Hadeda ibis is an obvious presence in our garden and they are frequent sunbathers. When sunbathing they often rest on one wing that is partially open so that it looks almost broken, with the bird leaning heavily to one side, sometimes managing to look faintly ridiculous.
This Hadeda is sunbathing near our garden pond. It is leaning over, resting on its left wing
Even usually tame individuals seem to feel vulnerable when sunbathing and so they are very wary. All of these photos of sunbathing Hadedas were taken clandestinely through windows. Their reluctance to be observed when sunbathing may also be because they know they look slightly silly?
This Hadeda, wisely, kept straightening up from leaning on a wing to check on its surroundings. I sneaked this photo through an open window
This picture was taken at some distance of a group of Hadedas sunbathing and preening in a corner of the garden. The one on the left is indulging in an extreme form of leaning on its right wing. It held this awkward posture for several minutes as it soaked up the sun on its back
I quite often see sunbathing birds in pairs or small groups. Perhaps there is safety in numbers with extra pairs of eyes keeping watch. Birds lying on the ground are even more vulnerable to predators than usual.
A pair of Redeyed Doves enjoying the sun. They spent quite some time sunbathing and preening, perhaps demonstrating that the warmth of the sun does soften preening oils in the feathers
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. I have mentioned in another post the pair of Laughing Doves that have become used to our presence. The other day I was out in the garden with the camera and I saw the two doves settled down on a patch of lawn together. I sat down some distance away to watch them and they seemed to be totally relaxed in my presence.
Both were lying down and the one was preening. After a while they moved closer together and then both spread their wings in the sun. I sat quietly by, taking a few photos. Although the birds seemed unperturbed by my presence, I find that sometimes it is best not to use the viewfinder as pointing a camera at animals in this fashion can seem to be threatening. In this case I held the camera down low and used the flip out LCD screen to compose the shot.
Our resident pair of Laughing Doves sunning themselves in our garden despite the fact that I was sitting nearby. This pair seem to do everything together and in close proximity
When I see birds so relaxed in our garden, I am so pleased we made the decision to make a fenced-in garden for our cats – such a good compromise for cats and for birds. For more on cats and the wildlife garden, see here.
I thought I’d include this photo of the pair of Laughing Doves enjoying their post-sunbathing preening session together. Like all pigeons and doves, they pair-bond for life. I think we are inclined to dismiss the feelings of birds and animals and overlook the closeness of their familial relationships
Posted by Carol
December 11, 2017 at 9:34 am
Like always, lovely pictures!
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December 11, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Thanks Suzette.
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October 2, 2017 at 2:20 pm
We are always fascinated by the sunbathing cormorants we see in Jamaica Bay (Queens, NY). I always think they look like dragons. (Not my photo: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DCCO_drying_sgosser.jpg)
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October 2, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for your comment and the link to the photo of the cormorants. We also have cormorants here in South Africa, and I find them fascinating too. I had not made the dragon connection before, but I can see what you mean 🙂
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September 28, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Wow! You get to see so many amazing birds in your garden 😃. …The perks of creating and allowing an inviting habitat!
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September 29, 2017 at 4:33 am
Thanks. We are lucky to live in a well-wooded area and we try to add to that with inviting indigenous plants that are allowed to do their thing, such as going to seed.
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September 19, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Amazing sun bathers especially first photo but also the Laughing doves with outstreched wing
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September 19, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Thanks Abrie. I like the Laughing Doves too.
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September 15, 2017 at 6:45 am
Here in Western Australia they have made it illegal for cats to be loose. Ours have always been strict indoors cats, with plenty of windows and cat plants, other people have runs. Not everyone believes in it and I’ve never successfully retrained a cat that was allowed outside but if they stay inside from kittenhood they don’t seem to mind at all. Great for the native fauna and so much safer for the cats, we have a lot of poisonous snakes. This is not meant to be criticism, Australian native fauna is especially vulnerable to cats.
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September 15, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Some kind of confinement for cats is a good compromise – safer for native fauna, and safer for cats too, even without legislation to enforce it. I think that cars, dogs and other cats can pose a bigger danger to cats than snakes, in our area at least. Judging by what I have seen online, some people get really inventive when building ‘catios’ for their cats! Interesting what you say about kittens adapting so easily to being kept indoors. Cats, like most of us, are creatures of habit I suppose! Thanks so much for visiting, Lisa – I hope to be visiting your site again soon. So many blogs, so little time!
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September 2, 2017 at 12:48 pm
I must pay closer attention, I have never noticed the birds sunbathe. And Hendrix too! My favorite musician of all time. Who would have guessed you were a fan?
🙂
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September 2, 2017 at 5:06 pm
I am always more surprised by those who don’t like Hendrix than by those who do 🙂
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September 2, 2017 at 6:15 pm
I have never met a woman who genuinely liked his music. What’s your favorite album?
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September 2, 2017 at 8:50 pm
I love, love so many tracks off Are You Experienced? Electric Ladyland, Axis: Bold as Love, and Band of Gypsies, can’t really pick one. Sorry about that! I assume you have a favourite? Sometimes I obsess over one particular track and listen to it often. Incredible how fresh most of them still are. I often wonder what musical direction he would have taken had he lived, and reflect on what we lost with his tragically early death.
P.S. Have you seen the (available on YouTube) video of Killing Floor when playing live in Stockholm? His intro is jaw-dropping.
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September 2, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Yes , I have seen it. I get a bit emotional – mostly out of frustration – when I consider the manner of his death and what a waste it was. I was doing a paper round when I read of his death in the Sunday Mirror. I could hardly speak for a few days.
As a teen I had a garage band and we played a few pubs and opened with Fire. Only Hendrix song I could play – and badly at that! 🙂
Yes, I do have a favorite album. Band of Gypsies. His playing on this is, for me, the most fluid live performance ever recorded. Message of Love especially.
When I came out here in ’79, I went to a club atop the Hillbrow Tower and they had a band who opened their set with Who Knows.
First time I have ever heard any band cover this. Blew me away.
When I was working as an apprentice hairdresser I was junior to a woman who saw him at Isle of White!
Her and I continued corresponding long after I moved here.
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September 3, 2017 at 6:22 am
Thanks for sharing those memories.
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September 3, 2017 at 6:36 am
Somehow bumped the send key before I finished my reply. I like the funk influence on band of gypsies. Hendrix could play with such nuance and artistry and managed to soar above or even get underneath his unsurpassed technical brilliance, which was not an end in itself.
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September 1, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Very informative and your pictures are great.
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September 1, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Hi Hester. Thanks!
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September 1, 2017 at 9:50 am
What a fascinating read. I used to find in New England that the Mourning Doves would sunbathe in the pool area which was very protected. Other birds favoured the lawns and took their lives in their hands at some level although in reality The Bean (my dog) kept cats at bay. I followed your link to your article on making a cat area in a garden and just want to say that I agree with every single word you say. In the end Nature relies on balance and sometimes we have to provide the balance with our own common sense and ingenuity because we, as humans, have interfered in the first place. I really enjoyed both posts and want you to know that you are actually helping my silly wing and feather phobia with your stunning photographs and accompanying explanations (you might recall that I love birds but have a fear of their wings even when dead) …. this is a wonderful gift to me and I thank you
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September 1, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Thanks Osyth. Nice to know The Bean played such a protective role. I agree that we humans disturb so much that we do need to be proactive and try to counter our destructiveness, even if tiny contributions are all we are able to manage. I hope that lots of tiny contributions from lots of people can add up to something meaningful. How nice that my posts help you regarding the feathers and wings, when the opposite may have been possible! And now I have Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Little Wing’ rippling through my mind. Perhaps you might like to take a listen to this old recording? I always find it therapeutic to listen to this song. (Even though it has been somewhat overplayed over time, it stands up to it.)
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September 1, 2017 at 8:35 am
Wonderful photos and observations. What a privilege to have such an intimate view of the habits of these birds!
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September 2, 2017 at 5:38 am
Thanks Margaret. Yes it is a privilege that I try not to take for granted.
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August 31, 2017 at 8:42 pm
The colors in the sunbird are stunning!
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September 2, 2017 at 5:32 am
Yes they are, especially the metallic emerald green.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:33 pm
I admire your sensitivity to these birds, their needs and their wariness. Not enough humans consider those with whom we share the planet. ‘All our relations’ is a good point of view.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:50 pm
Thanks Eliza. I agree that we do need to be more considerate, and be aware that we share the planet and don’t own it!
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August 31, 2017 at 2:57 pm
I have observed Mourning Doves, Blue Jays and Steller’s Jays
sunbathing. They do indeed strike some odd poses. I have read
that in addition to feather health, birds might sunbathe to soak
up Vitamin D.
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August 31, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Do you also find that the birds you see sunbathing are very wary? Interesting about the Vitamin D – I have read that the preen gland oils may also play a role here. All quite complex!
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August 31, 2017 at 7:40 pm
I haven’t noticed the wariness. And it is all very complex and interesting. If only the birds could share their secrets with us!
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August 31, 2017 at 7:48 pm
I think Jays are quite out there, so maybe they are too outgoing to show any wariness 🙂
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August 31, 2017 at 11:09 pm
You are probably right about that. They are by no means shy by nature.
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