1. Forum
  2. USENET
  3. rec.birds

  • Dirt Baths

    From jmcquown@j_mcquown@comcast.net to rec.birds on Sat May 7 12:10:19 2022
    From Newsgroup: rec.birds

    I couldn't get a picture of it but there were a couple of mourning doves underneath a large gardenia bush at the back corner of my neighbors
    house. They were taking dirt-baths. Digging in the sandy soil and
    tossing it onto their wings and tails.

    I understand why birds do this. It's to smother the tiny parasites
    (mites) that get under their feathers which feed off them and make them
    feel very itchy. It wasn't the dirt bath that was unusual. I had never witnessed a dove splay out tail feathers like you'd spread the fingers
    of your hand (if your hand was feathered) and then stir it around in the
    sandy soil. I tried to take a pic but I wasn't fast enough.

    Jill in Southern South Carolina
    --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2