Sunbathing Blackbirds

[Diane E]

I read a great story on the web about a lady (who loved her birds) who used to sit out in the garden in a deck chair. One day she went back inside the house and when she came out again a male blackbird was in the sunbathing position actually laying in the deck chair

And apparently the female of the pair used to come into her house when the door was open and eat the cat food from the cat's bowl! How surreal is that!

[Tinkerbell]

Re the sunbathing blackbirds, I too have this common sight in my garden on a sunny day. But, can anyone explain why it is only blackbirds that sunbathe?

Tink

[wildone]

Tinks I have seen House Sparrows also doing it.

Thought ... it isn't anything to do with digestion like Corrmorant when they hold their wings out. I know it used to be thought to dry but I believe latest thinking is that it is to aid digestion.

[broon]

Hi all,
The jays in our garden often sunbathe in exactly the same way as the blackbirds

[Billyjojimbob]

Here's a pic I took today.

I got about 3 feet away, took some pics, moved back and we both then carried on what we were doing.

[Billyjojimbob]

Sorry, link should be this pic.

[John_M]

I think it's sunbathing, I came across one the other day.
pictureBlackbird on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
He sat there for a couple of minutes, and then quite casually sauntered away when I approached too close for his liking.

[animartco]

It is purely sunbathing. The first time I saw it I rushed to the park keeper and said "There's a sick blackbird on the grass!" I think they do it more than other birds because they ARE black and the sun warms them more quickly than other birds, so they get that much more enjoyment from it.

[JV]

10!? Never seen that before.
However i have seen 2 blackbirds on dry soil sunbathing. They look so funny!

[Hedera]

There's one flat out on my lawn now - I think he's "anting".