Anting

Anting is a behavior observed in some birds in which ants or their secretions are used as part of preening. The term covers two commonly described variants: passive anting, where ants are allowed to crawl over the bird’s feathers, and active anting, in which a bird deliberately manipulates ants—often crushing them or collecting their secretions—and rubs the substances onto the plumage. Birds may encounter ants from ground nests or mounds and then apply the chemicals to their feathers, sometimes after a brief interaction with dew or water.

The behavior has been reported across a variety of bird groups, particularly in passerines such as thrushes, warblers, and sparrows, as well as in some woodpeckers and parrots. It occurs in different geographic regions, including temperate and tropical environments. Observers may see birds standing or resting with ants moving over their bodies, or actively manipulating ants at the base of vegetation or near ant nests.

The exact function of anting is not definitively known, and several hypotheses exist. The most widely discussed is parasite control: the formic acid and other chemicals produced by ants may deter or reduce feather mites and other external parasites. Anting might also provide antimicrobial effects to feathers or serve as a stimulus for preening. However, empirical evidence is mixed, and some researchers view it as a behavior with multiple functions or as incidental in some contexts. In many cases, birds continue their activity without clear, measurable benefits.