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Birding/birds vs. marigolds

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Expert: Julia Booth - 7/5/2008


Question
Last week, I noticed what I believe to be aa Grackle wrestling with marigold bolssoms for several minutes.  The bird pulled a couple from the flowers, then sort of tore them apart with petals laying around, and flew away with one.  Perhaps it improves nest quality re; marigolds and bugs.   Curious thing to watch.

Answer
It's called anting -a process in which birds allow ants to crawl on their body and secrete formic acid in order to rid their body of parasites. Some birds (esp Grackles) mimic this process by using the chemicals from marigolds.

Other substances -walnut juice, lemons and limes, marigold blossoms, choke cherries, and mothballs.

Birding

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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