Anting

["Bob Forsyth" <>]

 On 20/4/2000 I wrote

 We were able to drive up alongside a Blue-winged Kookaburra 

that was sitting on the dirt road to the (Gunpowder) Lake and

Sewage ponds.  

There were largish (meat ?) ants crawling around it and also on its legs.

No doubt there were ants also on its lower feathers.

 

I've read about anting in Alec Chisholm's classic "Bird Wonders of

Australia" but this was my first observation

.

 Is there a published comprehensive list of (Australian) species

that have been observed anting ?

 

===========================================

 

Three birding-ausers have corresponded with me and it is likely no current list is available.

 

So I have compiled the following list from

Alex Chisholm's paper The History of Anting, Emu V59(2) 101-130 (May 1959)

(using his English names)

 

Active anting (17)

(Where the bird applies the ant/or whatever to its plumage with its bill)

 

Apostlebird..................... beetles

Emu...............................bees

Bower-bird, Satin

Catbird, Green                                        (avairyobservation

Currawong, Pied

Finch, Red-browed...........acrid smoke

Honeyeater, Lewin

Landrail, Banded..............beetles

Magpie, Western.............grass-tree fragments

Parrot, Turquoise.............aromatic leaves 

Parrot, Scarlet-chested....aromatic leaves (avairyobservation

Raven

Silvereye, Western                                  (avairyobservation

Thornbill, Yellow-tailed

Thrush, Little...................millipedes

Whistler, Rufous

Wren, Blue

 

Active anting - introduced species (7)

 

Blackbird

Finch, Society.......................................(aviary observation

Robin, Pekin..........................................(aviary observation

Sparrow, House

Starling.................tree sprigs

Thrush, Song

Myna, Indian

 

Passive Anting (3)

(Where the bird permits the ants to swarm on its plumage)

 

Chough, White-winged

Magpie-lark

Thrush, Grey

 

 

A.H.Chisholm's book Bird Wonders of Aust 1969, and specifically

Chapter XIX , 134-144 "Why do birds 'ant' themselves"

does not add any further species but does offer a very readable article.

In fact the whole book is a good read !

(Paper backed copies of this frequently reprinted book can often be

found in 2nd hand shops for less than $10)

 

I am sure that since 1959,/1969 many more species have been observed anting.

I would appreciate feedback  of any other species anting

In fact I would appreciate any observations of anting.

 

I am also curious that only passerines have only been observed 'anting' .

 

Looking forward to your feedback

Regards...Bob Forsyth

               Mount Isa,Qld