In a stunning display of nature’s intricacies, photographer Tony Austin has captured a rare and captivating moment: a crow taking an ant bath. This unusual behavior, known as anting, is a fascinating practice that has puzzled scientists for years.
The Accidental Discovery
Austin, a seasoned nature photographer, was enjoying a leisurely stroll when he stumbled upon a group of crows. As he prepared to capture their silhouettes against the setting sun, he witnessed an extraordinary sight. One of the crows was actively engaging in a peculiar ritual—it was lying on an anthill, allowing ants to crawl over its feathers.
Understanding Anting
Anting is a behavior observed in many bird species, including crows, robins, and ravens. It involves the bird intentionally exposing itself to ants, either by rubbing against an anthill or by placing ants directly on its feathers. While the exact reasons for this behavior remain a subject of scientific debate, it is believed to be a form of self-grooming or pest control.
A Rare Occurrence
The crow in Austin’s photograph was exhibiting a more passive form of anting, allowing the ants to swarm its feathers without actively rubbing against the anthill. This behavior is less commonly observed in crows, making Austin’s capture even more exceptional.
The Global Impact
Austin’s remarkable photographs quickly gained widespread attention after he shared them on social media. The images captivated viewers around the world, sparking interest in this fascinating natural phenomenon. The story of the crow’s ant bath was even featured in news outlets, highlighting the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
A Photographer’s Passion
For Austin, capturing this extraordinary moment was a dream come true. As a lifelong photographer, he has dedicated countless hours to documenting the wonders of nature. The success of his crow ant bath photographs is a testament to his passion, skill, and dedication to his craft.
Tony Austin’s discovery of a crow taking an ant bath is a reminder of the incredible diversity and complexity of the natural world. This rare and captivating behavior offers a glimpse into the fascinating lives of these intelligent and adaptable creatures. As we continue to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature, we can be grateful for photographers like Austin who share their unique perspectives with the world.
Photographer Tony Austin was on a nature walk when he saw a crow swarmed by ants.
It turns out that he’d photographed a little-seen behavior known as anting.
Tony Austin: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Alan OBrien says
Maybe to let them eat lice or fleas ?
alan land says
Veeeeeery interesting !
Nancy L Hope says
I bet the ants go and chomp up any parasites and their eggs.
Anna-Liisa Åstrand says
I have an anthill in.my garden in Stockholm. I have seen blackbirds bathing in it. They lie on the top of it. I think they do this to get rid of vermin in their feathers. I use to say that I have both restaurang and SPA for birds in my garden. Greetings Anna-Liisa
Nanette Leclerc says
I’m just guessing, but maybe the crow is allowing the ants to remove/eat some type of parasite. Then perhaps, the crow eats it’s guests (ants).
I could halfway see their original concept of letting one ant at a time crawl up their wing. This way they have some control over the ants.
However, unless it was an act of desperation because the parasitic activity on the crow was so overwhelming & unbearable, it resorted to allowing the ants to crawl all over its body at once to consume the aggressive parasites. Of course, that would have to be “out-of-your-mind” desperation. Other than that, I’’m pretty lost on this.
Just a thought.
Ray Johnson says
So do the crows eat the ants?
Silook Susie says
Ravens are so intelligent, as are most birds. This is an amazing capture! Sort of like using leeches to remove infection, but preventative, seemingly.
Paul says
I suspect that birds have found that if they are infested with too many parasites, like lice or maybe even a fungus, the ants will swarm it and eat the offending parasites. But they need to cover their eyes and other sensitive parts.
Barbara Dell Eller says
Maybe they do that so the ants will eat parisites or smaller insects on the crows?
Edward M Bergman says
Do ants rid a bird of lice?
Marie moo says
My cat used to lay on ants nest in the summer. In the late 70s ..I always thought it was using them as an insecticide.
Lervan Jones says
And why was only one bird doing that? Maybe it had an lnfestation of fleas or some other nuisance!