Blackbird apparently using lemon juice to deter parasites

["Philip Veerman" <>]

John,

 

That is sure to be an example of the whole range of behaviours, often called anting, done by a whole range of bird species, just as the one you mention. One very basic reference book I have mentions lemon juice as one of the items used by "captive birds" (but doesn't say which birds). As to whether it is recorded before in Blackbirds, I would think it more likely than not that you would find it if you searched enough but don't know of one. Curiously to think of this, Australia has so many ants but I don't know of our birds using ants this way. Maybe most of our ants are too nasty.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Layton [
Sent: Thursday, 31 January 2013 4:14 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Blackbird apparently using lemon juice to deter parasites

A few days ago some discarded lemon wedges were strewn on the ground near the barbeque. Early next morning I saw a male Common Blackbird pecking at a lemon wedge.

As I watched, the bird spread a wing and, using the primaries and tail feathers to brace itself, proceeded to pass a piece of the lemon flesh through its plumage.

I can only conclude it was using the citric acid in the juice to deter parasites as it might use formic acid from ants, but can find no reference to such behaviour by this species.

Interestingly, the Common Grackle, Quisculus quiscula  a North American species, possibly to rid itself of parasites, allows ants to crawl on its feathers and release formic acid, but may employ lemons and limes, chokecherries, and even mothballs for the same purpose (Sibley 2013).

 

John K. Layton

Holt.