Chiffchaff sunbathing
I often see Blackbirds and Robins sunbathing but I think this is the first time I have seen a Chiffchaff, or for that matter a warbler of any kind, sunbathing. It was regularly sunbathing in my back garden throughout yesterday's heat. According to the BTO sunbathing is used by some birds as part of their routine feather maintenance. They find a quiet sunny spot then spread their wings and tail and fluff up their head and body feathers too. This Chiffchaff also tilted its head to one side and opened its bill too. It is thought that using the sun in this way does two things; It helps the preen oil to spread across the feathers and drives parasites out from within the plumage. The uropygial gland that produces the preen oil is just above the rump where that little bald patch is visible. This produces an oil which is distributed by the bird to condition all the plumage, assisting with feather flexibility, waterproofing and anti-parasitic effects.
Chiffchaff sunbathing
I often see Blackbirds and Robins sunbathing but I think this is the first time I have seen a Chiffchaff, or for that matter a warbler of any kind, sunbathing. It was regularly sunbathing in my back garden throughout yesterday's heat. According to the BTO sunbathing is used by some birds as part of their routine feather maintenance. They find a quiet sunny spot then spread their wings and tail and fluff up their head and body feathers too. This Chiffchaff also tilted its head to one side and opened its bill too. It is thought that using the sun in this way does two things; It helps the preen oil to spread across the feathers and drives parasites out from within the plumage. The uropygial gland that produces the preen oil is just above the rump where that little bald patch is visible. This produces an oil which is distributed by the bird to condition all the plumage, assisting with feather flexibility, waterproofing and anti-parasitic effects.