Synonyms
Definition
The deliberate application of ants and ant secretions (or other pungent substances) by birds to their plumage and skin.
Introduction
Anting (or Einemsen) is a term originally used by ornithologists in the 1930s to describe the application of ants by birds to their plumage (Whitaker 1957; Chisholm 1959). Birds perform anting behavior presumably to apply to their feathers or skin some substance produced by the ants (formic acid or other secretions). With the passage of time, the term has been used more broadly to include application to the plumage of objects or substances other than ants (e.g., citrus fruits, mothballs, burning cigarettes), because the postures and movements performed by actively anting birds are similar regardless of the object used. This prompted Simmons (1966) to distinguish “true anting” (the use of ants during the activity) and “anting with substitutes.” Regardless, anting is a more or less stereotypical form of anointing...
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References
Chisholm, A. H. (1959). The history of anting. Emu, 59, 101–130.
Craig, A. J. F. K. (1999). Anting in Afrotropical birds: A review. Ostrich, 70, 203–207.
Eisner, T., & Aneshansley, D. (2008). “Anting” in Blue Jays: Evidence in support of a food-preparatory function. Chemoecology, 18, 197–203.
Groskin, H. (1950). Additional observations and comments on “anting” by birds. Auk, 67, 201–209.
Potter, E. F. (1970). Anting in wild birds, its frequency and probable purpose. Auk, 87, 692–713.
Potter, E. F., & Hauser, D. C. (1974). Relationship of anting and sunbathing to molting in wild birds. Auk, 91, 537–563.
Revis, H. C., & Waller, D. A. (2004). Bactericidal and fungicidal activity of ant chemicals on feather parasites: An evaluation of anting behavior as a method of self-medication in songbirds. Auk, 121, 1262–1268.
Simmons, K. E. L. (1957). A review of the anting-behaviour of passerine birds. British Birds, 50, 401–424.
Simmons, K. E. L. (1966). Anting and the problem of self-stimulation. Journal of Zoology (London), 149, 145–162.
Whitaker, L. M. (1957). A résumé of anting, with particular reference to a captive Orchard Oriole. Wilson Bulletin, 69, 195–262.
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Hendricks, P. (2016). Anting. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3167-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3167-1
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