Do Birds Sunbathe?

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Do birds sunbathe?  That's a very good question, and the answer is yes, yes they do.  Especially robins.  After all that winter work posing for photos on Christmas cards and calendars, robins like nothing better than a bit of rest and relaxation in the summer sunshine.

There are several theories as to why birds sunbathe.  It's thought that birds fan out their feathers in the sunshine in order to keep them in good condition.  Tiny parasites in the feathers can cause problems with flying, insulation and appearance.  The heat of the sun can dislodge these parasites and drive them to different places where the bird may have better access for removing them when preening.

Another idea is that the action of sunlight on glands at the base of the tail can help to produce vitamin D, which is beneficial for bird health.

There's also the possibility that birds just like sunning themselves for the fun of it.  To warm their bodies up in the morning and give themselves a little boost of solar energy.


More info at: UK Safari Birds Section