If You See a Bird in Michigan Covered in Ants, Leave it Alone

Have you ever seen a bird around West Michigan that seems fine, but is covered in ants? Your first instinct may be to shoo the bird in hopes that the ants will fall off. You shouldn't.

Why? Because the bird wants the ants there.

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Why Do Birds Cover Themselves in Ants?

Birds are known to partake in a practice referred to as "anting". It's when a bird will either pick up ants with its beak and rub them on its feathers, or a bird will sit perfectly still on or near an ant hill and allow the ants to crawl all over it.

What is the Purpose of Birds Anting?

While the purpose of anting hasn't been scientifically proven, many experts believe that birds are using the ants for the formic acid that ants naturally produce. Formic acid has many different uses, but the ones it seems birds are most interested in are its antibacterial properties and the fact that it can act as an insecticide. (Which seems weird since it's derived from ants, which are insects.)

READ MORE: Can My Bird Feeder Put Other Michigan Birds at Risk of Avian Flu?

So it's possible that the bird isn't feeling so hot or has a cut or irritation of some sort that it's hoping the ants will help with, or it's just trying to keep other bugs away.

Birds in Michigan That Commonly Practice Anting

There are many species of birds around the world that participate in anting, including many species that are found right here in Michigan. They include

• Crows
• Robins
• Blue Jays
• Grackles
• Starlings
• Tufted Titmice
• Sparrows
• Cardinals
• Brown Thrashers
• Gray Catbirds

The bottom line is that if you see a bird just chilling there covered in ants, it's likely perfectly fine, and it welcomes its little antibacterial six-legged friends.