A Little Bit More
It’s interesting in behavior studies that the more common a behavior, often times, the less we really understand it. Bathing behavior in birds is so obvious and so common that you’d think science would fully understand its function. Although there are some species that take both water AND dirt baths (the House Sparrow for one), most birds use either one method or the other, which implies that they may serve the same function. Dustbathing hypotheses date back nearly 2,000 years when Pliny the Elder speculated that lice are apt to kill a bird unless it takes care to bathe itself in dust. His parasite control idea was passed down over the centuries without anyone really testing it until recently. It was often suggested that the dust particles clogged the parasites’ tiny breathing pores. We now know this isn’t the case.
Furthermore, not all dustbathers like “dusty” soil that might suffocate tiny parasites if it were possible. Research has shown that Bobwhite Quail, among others, have a distinct preference for moist soil – about the consistency of good gardening soil. Research shows that when quail were offered a choice of moist AND dry soil for bathing they unhesitatingly chose the moist. When they had no choice they would consider dry soil but this was definitely not their first choice. Researchers are still looking at this behavior and although it may seem like a minor behavior to us, it appears that dustbathing is a very important function for many birds.
Definitions
stereotyped: repeated behavior without variation
Activities
Science – Fuller’s Earth
Objectives: Firsthand look at what MAY be happening during dustbathing
Materials: Small quantity of Fuller’s Earth
Although we’re not exactly sure what the birds are doing when they dustbathe, it does seem that the soil helps to remove some of the excessive oils that accumulate in their feathers. Here’s an example of a natural product, mined from the earth, that does something similar. I’m not suggesting this is what is happening with the birds, just that it acts on spills in much the same way soil MAY be acting on a bird’s feathers.
Acquire a small amount (~ ½ cup) of Fuller’s Earth from you janitor, student parent or local hardware store.
Find an area of your floor that is dusty (the dustier, the better)
Scatter the Fuller’s Earth over the floor and then sweep it up
Note how the Fuller’s Earth has “bound” with the dust and made it easier to sweep up the dust from the floor
Key Concepts
Behavior and Regulation, Scientific Method/Approach, Structures and Functions
Questions
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