Magpie sunning behaviour

["Robyn" <>]

I have a female Koel here in Maroochydore, SEQ, which regularly sunbathes. 
She spreads out in the full sunshine, wings and tail beautifully displayed, 
and literally pants with heat before she eventually moves off.   I have 
never observed her male mate in the pose.
The most interesting bird sunning itself was a Striped Honeyeater the first 
year it was here.   The predominant birds here at that time were Spotted 
Turtle-Doves, and they sunned constantly.   The Striped Honeyeater seemed to 
be a young bird, and I think was simply aping the behaviour of those around. 
I wondered what I had struck the first few times I saw it.   It did not 
continue the behaviour in later years.
Some birds sun on bare branches, without going to ground.

Robyn