Dunnock sunbathing

[Meta menardi]

For the last 2 days, when I am out in the garden a Dunnock has repeatedly landed about 8 feet away, turned sideways on to the sun and then spread it's tail, fluffed up it's feathers (even on it's head) and sort of gone into a trance, beak wide open. It is not anting, and it has done this as many as 7 or 8 times, each time for no more than a minute. When it lands, it is very alert, and definitely aware that I am there.

I have seen Blackbirds behave in a similar fashion.

If they are sunbathing, should I get an ice-cream van and cash in? Is it common behaviour?

One move to the camera, and it is off. I am sure it is perfectly healthy, it sings and looks very smart till it has got it's cozzy on and then it just lets it all go.

[aeshna5]

It is indeed sun-bathing, getting its quota of vitamin D. Possibly useful for getting rid of ectoparasites too.

[Meta menardi]

It's weaving a deckchair!

[witham]

All birds will do it, my chickens sometimes line up in the sun and do syncronised feather stretching making the most it,