You might have noticed crows gathering around a trough of water and splashing in it rather daringly. It is an amusing sight but the birds are not indulging in playful antics. They are engaged in the serious business of having a bath, for keeping clean is as important to them as it is to us. Baths are absolutely necessary if they are to remain healthy. In particular, their feathers have to be kept free of dirt and in good condition, for birds cannot survive without them.

Feathers play a pivotal role in almost all their activities. They keep the bird warm and, in waterbirds, provide buoyancy. Pinion and tail feathers produce lift, without which flight would be impossible. During the breeding season, birds use their plumage to convey signals. Every feather therefore has to be cleaned regularly and when you consider that a bird as small as a sparrow has 2000 to 3000 feathers, you realise what a tremendous task this is for such a tiny creature.

The hustle and bustle of daily living not only ruffles the feathers but contaminates them with dust, mud, pollen and nectar. There are a number of parasites too waiting to attach themselves to the bird’s body. Fleas and lice are the most common pests and besides sucking blood, chew on feathers as well. Birds therefore bathe regularly in order to shake off dirt and get rid of unwanted guests.

They are seen in groups around pools of water. It almost seems as if the sight of one bird tempts others and they are often seen queuing and jostling each other to get a turn!

An oil bath!
Bathing wets the feathers and dislodges surface dirt from the plumage, but more has to be done for proper cleansing to take place. This is done by preening and oiling. Preening or trimming the feathers consists of many different movements, sometimes as many as twenty of them. After much shaking and whirring, the bill is wiped and oil extracted from the preen gland situated just above the root of the tail. The oil is then smeared over the feathers. The pinions are dealt with first for full powers of flight must be restored to facilitate escape from enemies. Oiling is done to keep feathers well groomed and water-repellent. It is also a source of vitamin-D. During the breeding season, the oil has pigments that produce hues necessary to attract mates.

The feathers on the head are inaccessible to the bird’s own bill and therefore are serviced by scratching. There is also what is called social preening. One bird ‘preens’ another. Usually it is the head and this is done in response to special preening requests. For example, the neck is presented first and then the head is adjusted in various positions until the process is complete. This neighbourly gesture may well be reciprocated. Species that feed on fish often have their feathers covered by slime. These birds have feathers called 'down' that produces fine powder. The powder soaks up the slime which is then scratched out with their special comb-like claws.

The most extraordinary preening is that done through ants. Perching birds often allow ants to stream across their bodies. Some even pick up ants and place them on their bodies. They either carry the pests off or squirt formic acid that kills them. They are particularly helpful in the head and wing tips which are inaccessible to the beak of the bird.

Bird-lovers often build bird-baths in their gardens. It is a good way of attracting birds and provides pleasure to boththe watcher and the watched!