Army Ants and Birds

During an army ant swarm, it is common to observe flocks of different bird species and other critters including lizards, following army ants. But why do birds, especially, follow army ants? Well, there are two possible reasons for this.

A behavioral ecology known as “ant following” is where birds such as Tanagers, Woodcreepers, Anis, etc., and even other insects such as butterflies, wasps, flies, mites, beetles and lizards, follow army ants to feed on the arthropods and other small vertebrates flushed from the forest floor. But many times, these other smaller creatures become food for the birds as well. Another reason why birds follow army ant swarms is for anting. “Anting”, is a specialized behavior in birds and is the application of ants or ant substitutes to the feathers, and can be divided into two forms; active and passive anting.

During active anting, birds seize several ants in their beaks, crush them, rub them, and place them among their feathers. During passive anting, birds lay down among the ants and permit the ants to invade their plumage. The birds stretch out one or both wings, spread their tail or tuck it forward between their legs. Suggested reasons why birds have adapted to anting is for; self-treatment against ectoparasites, treatment of fungal or skin infections, reducing skin irritation during molting, and feeding.