Common Grackles Anting With Marigold Flowers

Nero, Robert W.; Hatch, David R. M.

doi:10.29173/bluejay4382

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Birds have mostly been observed applying arthropods, predominately ants, to their feathers and thus this behaviour is called “active anting”. Reports of birds applying plants to their feathers are rare; only a few instances have been recorded 10 11 12 . Suggested functions of such behaviour include control of ectoparasites, fungal or bacterial infections 12 13 14 15 (but see ref.…”

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confidence: 99%

Darwin’s finches treat their feathers with a natural repellent

Cimadom

Causton

Dong

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Darwin’s finches are highly innovative. Recently we recorded for the first time a behavioural innovation in Darwin’s finches outside the foraging context: individuals of four species rubbed leaves of the endemic tree Psidium galapageium on their feathers. We hypothesised that this behaviour serves to repel ectoparasites and tested the repellency of P. galapageium leaf extracts against parasites that negatively affect the fitness of Darwin’s finches, namely mosquitoes and the invasive hematophagous fly Philornis downsi. Mosquitoes transmit pathogens which have recently been introduced by humans and the larvae of the fly suck blood from nestlings and incubating females. Our experimental evidence demonstrates that P. galapageium leaf extracts repel both mosquitoes and adult P. downsi and also inhibit the growth of P. downsi larvae. It is therefore possible that finches use this plant to repel ectopoarasites.

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Darwin’s finches treat their feathers with a natural repellent

Cimadom

Causton

Dong

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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“…Self-anoin=ng, also known as ac=ve an=ng, is well documented in birds, including several species in the family Corvidae (Goodwin 1953, Whitaker 1957, Chisholm 1959, Henrdicks 1980, Hendricks & Norment 2015, Morozov 2015, Ohkawara et al 2022. Birds frequently use ants for self-anoin=ng, but may also use "ant subs=tutes" such as other arthropods (Wenny 1998), snails (Terres 1962, VanderWerf 2005, plant material (Groff & Brackbill 1946, Sedgwick 1947, Nero & Hatch 1984, Clayton & Vernon 1993, and other substances (Miller 1952, Nice 1955, Ivor 1958, Elder 2004). In a related behavior known as passive an=ng, a bird perches amid ants and allows the ants to crawl through its plumage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca Turcosa) Self-Anointing (Anting) With a Millipede

Coulson

2023

Ornitol. Neotrop.

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Self-anointing has been documented in birds worldwide, including corvids. In self-anointing (active anting), birds rub ants or ant substitutes, such as millipedes, over their feathers. The self-anointing behaviors exhibited by corvids may differ according to species, warranting a comprehensive investigation in this family. I report on a Turquoise Jay (Cyanolyca turcosa) self-anointing with a millipede. The jay rubbed the millipede on its upper and lower rump, and ventral rectrices. It also swept the millipede over the shoulder, wrist, leading primaries and wingtips. The jay repeatedly prodded and bit the millipede, probably agitating it to make it release defensive compounds. After the jay rubbed the millipede against its undertail coverts, an arthropod, possibly an ectoparasite, was observed on the millipede. The jay consumed the millipede, providing the first record of a millipede in the diet of this corvid. Self-anointing in Turquoise Jay might serve in ectoparasite removal and food preparation.

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“…Anointing with plant materials has been observed in only a few bird species and observations are rare or anecdotal (reviewed in Clayton & Wolfe, 1993). For instance, common grackles ( Quiscalus quiscula ) have been observed to preen with marigold flowers (genus Tagetes ), which contain a natural insect repellent (Nero & Hatch, 1984), as well as with the pulp and rind of a lime fruit, which have insecticidal properties (Clayton & Vernon, 1993; Rodriguez & Wrangham, 1993). Additionally, the monarch flycatchers ( Chasiempis sandwichensis ) rub berries of Brazilian pepper ( Schinus terebinthifolius ), which has antibiotic properties, onto their feathers (VanderWerf, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%