Posted in Woodpeckers
While driving the 4-mile auto tour route at the Ridgefield NWR, June 28, 2017, I came upon a bird taking an extreme dust bath. This Northern Flicker was really wanting to get dirty, burying its head in the dust, stopping to look up, and walking to another location, and repeating the bath. Dust apparently soaks up excess moisture and oil on the feathers and discourages parasites.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f4, ISO 320, 500mm, 4:02 p.m.
While driving the 4-mile auto tour route at the Ridgefield NWR, June 28, 2017, I came upon a bird taking an extreme dust bath. This Northern Flicker was really wanting to get dirty, burying its head in the dust, stopping to look up, and walking to another location, and repeating the bath. Dust apparently soaks up excess moisture and oil on the feathers and discourages parasites.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f4, ISO 320, 500mm, 4:02 p.m.
Great info and terrific behavior image!
Thank you, Carolyn!