Photo sharing and discussion

Re: Brown Thrasher action

mj3151 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:47:21 GMT

Now that I think about it, the dust might help waterproof the feathers. I used to have an African Gray Parrot and a couple different cockatoos. They have powder down feathers and a gland at the base of their tails that they use to spread an oily secretion on the feathers that helps the dust adhere and repels water.

Re: Brown Thrasher action

jmmoon — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:28:28 GMT

There is (or used to be?) a dry 'shampoo' for people who for whatever reason couldn't wash their hair in the traditional way. I think the concept had to do with the dusty product absorbing hair oils and then it could be brushed out. Might be something like that for birds? I've heard that mites are a consideration as well.

Re: Brown Thrasher action

mj3151 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:27:48 GMT

I'm not sure exactly why they do it, but it seems like it's always on hot days, midafternoon. I have a sequence of another Thrasher I took doing the same thing a couple weeks ago under nearly identical circumstances. I love the goofy faces they make while they're going through all the gyrations.

Re: Brown Thrasher action

Photgog — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:09:46 GMT

I did not see Kiwi's post before now... similar thinking...

Fraser

Re: Brown Thrasher action

jmmoon — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:08:36 GMT

I've got an itch! I need a dust bath! Oooh that feels good! Under my wings too!

Oh, what's that? A crunchy bug? Yummy!

Watched a very beautiful hummingbird take a very dirty dust bath not too long ago---guess it's not all that uncommon, just funny looking. Great series of pix!!!

Re: Brown Thrasher action

Photgog — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:08:24 GMT

Great sequence... I know that they take "dust baths" I just wonder what the objective is... mites, parasites, ticks... maybe even for general feather health.

Fraser

Re: Brown Thrasher action

thekiwi — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:05:25 GMT

nice action shots. I have often wondered what the dust bath is for ? to control mites and other parasites or to apply a kind of talcum powder between the feathers

Brown Thrasher action

mj3151 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:51:35 GMT

The more I see of these guys, the weirder they seem.