Thanks Martin & Hans -

Fascinating that there are so many possible reasons for birds to do
some sunning (that's the term I choose!) In thinking of all the
behaviors and positions I mentioned in my "anting" & "sunning" post
yesterday (6/19), and adding to those points the fact that all of
those afternoons were very hot, I am inclined to think that any of the
Leahy reference's theories # 1-5 seem plausible, as does option #6,
"some optimal combination" of explanations #1-5.

I look forward to future observations of "sunning", with all of this
information and these "theories" in mind, and will take a closer look,
if possible, to see if any ants are involved and look for preening and
picking beak motions. I somehow don't think the Merlin beak is
designed for much "picking" (as in picking up or off, ants or
ectoparasites), but, as I always say: "Never say never"!

Of course sunning will require sun, something we are experiencing a
definite lack of these days... :-)


Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net