Starling babies "air bathing"

[tombom]

I've noticed baby starlings doing something slightly odd. When the adults are splashing around in the water bath, the young ones gather round the outside and flap their wings constantly like the adults, but they're not in water. It's a pretty grassy patch so I don't think they can be dust bathing - I've certainly never seen any adults do it. I imagine they grow out of it but I'm curious what causes this behaviour. Are they just imitating their parents and not realising why the parents are doing it or something?

Of course, I might just be watching them dust bathing or something and completely missing it

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by tombom

I've noticed baby starlings doing something slightly odd. When the adults are splashing around in the water bath, the young ones gather round the outside and flap their wings constantly like the adults, but they're not in water. It's a pretty grassy patch so I don't think they can be dust bathing - I've certainly never seen any adults do it. I imagine they grow out of it but I'm curious what causes this behaviour. Are they just imitating their parents and not realising why the parents are doing it or something?

Of course, I might just be watching them dust bathing or something and completely missing it

I think the parents are teaching them to have a bath/wash their feathers. They're pretty nervous of the water to start with. Parents show them how to drink also. Watch them a bit more and you will see the younger fledglings learn from the older fledglings and they will copy each other. The flapping of wings is a way of attracting attention too from parents - many young songbirds birds do this when still dependent on parents post fledgling and anticipating a feed!

A group pic of the local Starling nursery for you!

[foxypal]

I think parent birds are wonderful looking after their young.
They must be shatterered come night time!!

[tombom]

Originally Posted by Picidae

They're pretty nervous of the water to start with. Parents show them how to drink also.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for your response. Love the picture of the starlings sitting in the pot.