I have a query about a tit, please help

[TonyT]

I was taking the odd shot of them attempting to cool off in 30C plus temps and the second shot has me stumped... help, what is it, and no Tit comments.... I am talking about the growth above the tail.


Tit trying to cool down by Tony Taylor, on Flickr


Tit Strange growth by Tony Taylor, on Flickr

[tesarver]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

Not sure what it is, but it looks like it is under duress

Tom

[TonyT]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

It was cooling off Tom, there were several doing it in the same spot, it was lying out on some growth and spread all its feathers, the beak is open for cooling, a thrush was doing the same

[tesarver]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

It was cooling off Tom, there were several doing it in the same spot, it was lying out on some growth and spread all its feathers, the beak is open for cooling, a thrush was doing the same

Wow, never seen that behavior. Nicely captured.

Tom

[TonyT]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

Here you go Tom

https://www.thespruce.com/how-wild-birds-keep-cool-in-summer-386720

[tesarver]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

Thanks Tony for that info

Tom

[antoeknee]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

The 'growth' you mention looks like the preen glad.

This type of behaviour is quite common. Nat posted some images a little while ago of a blackbird doing the same.

[Nathaniel]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

Tony, it looks like the same bird to me doing a "moon"! I did post a pic of blackbird doing this. I understand from Ant that Robins and Blackbirds are seen doing this. I am re-posting one of mine here.

IMG_3392 by Nathaniel Ramanaden, on Flickr

[TonyT]

Re: I have a query about a tit, please help

Thanks Guys, I knew one of you would know, this is the Thrush in the same spot

Thrush trying to cool down by Tony Taylor, on Flickr