Birds sometimes sunbathe to get rid of mites. They spread their wings and allow the temperature of their feathers to reach temperatures that are too hot for some parasites to endure. Since these birds are easy targets for predators, they usually have their head up to scan their surroundings. Some birds prefer to sunbathe in sandy spots or even on ant colonies. The dust covering their feathers and/or ants crawling over the bird's body while releasing formic acid in defense may help rid the bird of parasites even more effectively. ======= Twan Leenders Conservation Biologist Connecticut Audubon Society 2325 Burr Street Fairfield, CT 06824 Tel. (203) 259 6305 ext. 114 Email: tleenders@ctaudubon.org<mailto:tleenders@ctaudubon.org> Website: www.ctaudubon.org<http://www.ctaudubon.org>