Anting
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<birdfyi-glossary slug="anting"></birdfyi-glossary>Definition
Deliberate placement of ants on feathers, thought to help control parasites via formic acid secretion.
Detailed Explanation
Anting has been documented in over 200 species and takes two forms: active anting, where birds pick up ants and rub them on feathers, and passive anting, where birds spread-eagle over ant mounds and let ants swarm their plumage. The formic acid, and possibly other secretions, may deter feather-degrading mites or supplement the bird's own preening oils. The behavior is most common after rain when ant colonies are disturbed and worker ants spray formic acid defensively.