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Photographer captures 'odd but exciting' crow behaviour known as anting

flyzipper

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I had never heard of this behaviour, and thought it was very interesting (link to story below image).
191497728_10159375350539275_1806900110521679136_n.jpg
Photographer Tony Austin of Metchosin, B.C., said he had no idea what he was observing until he enlarged this image of crows at Victoria's Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary on a computer screen and saw that one of the birds was covered in ants. (Tony Austin Photography)

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/brit...anting-looks-like-violent-dirt-bath-1.6053823
 

saroj12

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Fascinating!
 

Shezbug

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It is very fascinating. I’m pretty sure there was a thread about this same thing a while back.
 

Zara

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Hankmacaw

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If my memory serves me, @Danita once mentioned that cockatoos are prone to anting. The horse corral behind my house is quite dusty and occasionally I will see crows or ravens taking very enthusiastic baths ine that horse corral. I can't see if ants are involved - LOL. Both species are very enthusiastic about snow baths too.
 

Birdie Mama

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That was really interesting, never heard of this happening...

Quick question....i noticed a reference to Canuck the crow, has he ever been found? I know he went missing last year, but can't remember the end result....just wondering if anyone ever heard the final result on it...
 

Birdie Mama

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Just did a search, and on his Facebook page, he makes a comment on how he still misses his buddy....I don't belong to social media sites so can't see what else it may say about it.
 

faislaq

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Luv Bug "ants" constantly. She tucks everything in her feathers & it totally stays (it never stays, we just tell her it does) but I wonder what she'd make of actual ants! I've never seen it done that way before. :shocked6:

It's usually grabbing the ants & rubbing them on the feathers. There are different theories as to why, but it gets the ants to release chemical? I don't remember exactly as the "ants" song at our house are beads mostly.

Or the occasional pen cap. :D
0209181849c-1.jpg
 
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saroj12

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What a cute silly pose :roflmao: :heart:
 

faislaq

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Her bead pics didn't load in my last post :think1:
Screenshot_2018-02-09-22-29-32-1.png Screenshot_2018-02-09-22-34-38-1.png
All day, every day at our house. Puffin doesn't do it at all, though. :shrug2:
 

rockoko

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Wow, interesting!
 

melissasparrots

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I've seen my greater sulfur crest stick things into her feathers. Usually its a sliver of wood or a piece of news paper that she has rolled up into a little ball. I think in her case it might be more of a self stimulating behavior.
 
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