7 Types of Birds That Dry Their Wings (Must-Read)

Last updated on May 8th, 2023 at 10:41 pm

One rarely seen behavior found in birds is wing-drying, where some species spread their wings to dry them or sunbathe. This unique routine is commonly seen in cormorants, anhingas, pelicans, storks, herons, vultures, and hawks.

It’s an essential practice for maintaining their flight capability, regulating body temperature, and ensuring proper grooming and hygiene. We’ll cover 7 types of birds that engage in wing-drying and why they engage in this peculiar practice.

1. Anhingas

Anhingas are large waterbirds known for their unique way of drying their wings.

When swimming, their long neck often stretches above the water, earning them the nickname “Snakebird”.

After spending time in the water, they typically find a perch to spread their wings and dry them.

Seeing these birds in their natural habitat basking with their wings outstretched is quite a sight.

This posture is necessary because their feathers are not waterproof, so they become waterlogged after diving for fish.

Drying their wings prevents them from becoming too heavy to fly and helps them maintain their ability to hunt underwater.

There are two subspecies of Anhinga, A. a. anhinga and A. a. leucogaster, which can be found in different regions of the world.

Regions such as east of the Andes in South America, the southern United States, and even on islands like Trinidad, Tobago, and Cuba.

Regardless of their location, these birds share the iconic behavior of drying their wings.

Here’s a table highlighting some key features of Anhingas:

Overall, Anhingas provide a captivating study of the various ways birds have adapted to their environments.

Their distinctive method of drying their wings is not only practical but also serves as a remarkable display for those who are lucky enough to see them in the wild.

2. Cormorants

You can observe wing-drying in various species of Cormorants, including the Double-crested Cormorant and the Great Cormorant.

Unlike most birds that have oily feathers to repel water, Cormorant’s feathers aren’t fully waterproof, which allows them to dive deeper while hunting for fish.

If you ever go fishing, you might notice these birds perching on rocks, docks, or branches with their wings spread out wide to air-dry their feathers.

They can be identified by their long necks, dark colors, and yellow-orange facial skin.

Wing-drying also helps the Double-crested Cormorant maintain its body temperature and to make their wings lighter for their next flight.

Here’s a comparison of some key features of the two aforementioned Cormorant species:

The behavior is not only crucial for their survival but also a display of adaptation to their aquatic hunting lifestyle.

3. Pelicans

Among the various types of birds that dry their wings are pelicans.

Belonging to the Pelecanidae family, pelicans are large water birds known for their distinctive throat pouches used for catching prey.

They have a predominantly pale plumage, except for brown and Peruvian pelicans.

Pelicans often engage in wing-drying while facing the sun.

This action, known as sunning, helps them dry their wings after diving or swimming in water, as their wings have a high proportion of wettable feathers.

Sunning also aids pelicans in maintaining the health and flexibility of their wings and plumage.

Let’s take a closer look at two common types of pelicans:

With their distinct behavior and adaptability to various environments, these pelicans show just how diverse and incredible the world of birds can be.

4. Storks

Known for their large size and wide wingspans, some storks have also been observed assuming spread-wing postures for drying their wings.

One of the reasons that storks may need to dry their wings is their aquatic habitat.

As these large birds often wade in the water to search for food, their wings may get wet in the process.

Assuming a spread-wing posture not only helps them dry out their wings but may also serve other purposes like thermoregulation or territorial displays.

Storks tend to display this wing-drying behavior in sunny or windy conditions, which would speed up the drying process.

Some stork species known to exhibit this behavior include marabou storks, white storks, and wood storks.

Some quick facts about these stork species:

5. Herons

Herons are beautiful, long-legged wading birds that you may have seen at the edge of a pond, river, or marsh.

They belong to the family Ardeidae, which includes around 60 species of herons, egrets, and bitterns.

They are characterized by their long necks, long toes, and dagger-shaped bills.

Herons are found across the world, but they are most common in tropical regions.

These birds exhibit a posture where they extend and slightly droop their wings, which is also known as “sunbathing”.

This behavior helps them maintain their feathers’ health and prevents the growth of mold or parasites.

The table below lists some common heron species and their wing-drying postures:

6. Turkey Vultures

Turkey Vultures are fascinating birds that are known for their natural role as scavengers, using their keen sense of smell to locate carrion.

When it comes to drying their wings, Turkey Vultures, just like many other bird species, love to sunbathe.

Sunbathing helps them to remove any moisture that might have accumulated on their feathers.

This practice is especially common after a rainy period, allowing these large birds to efficiently dry and maintain their feathers for their next flight.

Standing with their wings spread wide, Turkey Vultures can often be seen soaking up the sun’s rays.

This position allows them to dry their entire wingspan, which can be up to 6.5 feet (2 meters).

Another benefit of this wing-spreading behavior is that it also helps Turkey Vultures regulate their body temperature.

In hot weather, sunning can help them cool down, while in cooler temperatures, it can help them stay warm.

Furthermore, it can even help these birds stay parasite-free.

This is because the sun helps to kill off any potential parasites or bacteria that could have latched onto their bodies from their last meal.

7. Hawks

Certain types of hawks are often seen spreading and slightly drooping their wings to expose them to sunlight or air.

One of the reasons hawks and other birds perform this wing-drying behavior is because it aids in maintaining their feathers’ health and functionality.

This can be particularly helpful after they’ve been hunting or flying through wet conditions.

One example of a hawk species known to exhibit this behavior is the broad-winged hawk (B. platypterus), which can be found in eastern North America.

These crow-sized hawks have gray-brown feathers and a black-and-white-banded tail.

In addition to the broad-winged hawk, other species like Swainson’s hawk (B. swainsoni) also engage in this wing-drying behavior.

Indigenous to western North America, Swainson’s hawks are known for their long migration journeys to Argentina.

To better illustrate this, here is a table highlighting some hawk species and their notable features:

Why Birds Dry Their Wings

In this section, we’ll discuss the reasons behind this behavior, focusing on maintaining flight capability, regulating body temperature, and grooming and hygiene.

Maintaining Flight Capability

One reason birds dry their wings is to maintain their ability to fly. Wet feathers can become heavy, reducing a bird’s aerial agility and maneuverability.

For example, cormorants have feathers that become easily waterlogged.

This allows them to dive deeper by preventing air bubbles from getting trapped underneath their feathers.

After diving, cormorants often stand with their wings spread, drying their wet wings to restore their flight capability.

Regulating Body Temperature

Another important reason for birds to dry their wings is to regulate their body temperature.

Wet plumage can affect their thermoregulation, making it difficult for them to maintain an ideal body temperature.

Some birds, such as cormorants, use spread-wing postures for drying their wings and not for thermoregulation when wet.

This behavior also aids in the evaporation of water from their feathers, preventing overheating and conserving energy.

Grooming and Hygiene

Last but not least, drying their wings is also essential for birds’ grooming and hygiene.

Properly groomed plumage contributes to a bird’s overall health.

And drying their wings aids in removing dirt, debris, and parasites that may accumulate during their daily activities.

Furthermore, well-maintained feathers improve their aerodynamics, ensuring efficient flight and energy conservation.

Sources

• Stanford University: Spread-Wing Postures
• Audubon Field Guide: Anhinga
• All About Birds: Anhinga Identification