birds laying on hot pavement - why? (feathers)

[aquietpath]

Since I've been working from home, I've been scattering bird seed and have a water container on the sidewalk just outside my window so I can watch the birds while working. Since we have had extreme heat this past week, I've noticed quite a few birds who will lay on their side, extend a wing and just lay there.

At first I thought they were injured, but they flew away with no problem when I went to check on them. Mourning Doves, Bluejays, Woodpeckers and others have all done this. Why would they lay on the hot concrete sidewalk like that? Even the squirrels grab what they want and run to the grass to eat it. But the heat doesn't seem to bother the birds...any ideas about this behavior?

[DubbleT]

One possible reason here
https://www.audubon.org/news/hot-bot...sun-themselves

[aquietpath]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

One possible reason here
https://www.audubon.org/news/hot-bot...sun-themselves

Very interesting....thanks for the link.

[Parnassia]

I've definitely seen that behavior in multiple species. In fact, just watched a varied thrush sunning on the lawn yesterday.

I've kept several different species of indoor aviary birds over the years. They have exposure to full spectrum overhead lighting for about 6 hours each day, but the aviary is also oriented so a couple of perches can get direct sun for part of the afternoon when the weather cooperates. When it does, each bird spends time there basking. They loft out all their body feathers, spread or droop their wings and tail, even laying their heads on one side or the other periodically.