What is the story behind this dusty depression in a strawberry patch?
A bird was taking a dust bath! Especially in the summer, birds from turkeys to ruffed grouse and house wrens to house sparrows “bathe” in dirt. They scrape a depression with their feet and nestle in on their belly – wiggling, rubbing, flicking, and flapping. After their feathers and skin are covered with dirt, they stand up to shake off and preen. Dust sticks to dry skin and absorbs excess oil. Research has shown birds who weren’t able to take dust baths had oil build up on their feathers. The dust also may help remove feather parasites such as lice and mites.