The sun was out, but just barely. Why is that bird lying flat on the ground with its wings spread out? I've never seen them do this before. This activity is often observed when birds are released from their cages after a long period of confinement, or in the morning when first taken out of the cage. Yesterday I saw my favourite baby robin that feeds from my feeder laying on its stomach on the ground, with its wings spread... this is really near a window and I feared it had been stunned... but i'd been in the room and heard nothing, and when another bird went nearby it jumped up, absoultely fine! It was mostly under a cloud, but suddenly, the cloud cover broke and the sun burst forth at full strength. Some birds just let the ants crawl on them, while other birds pick up ants in their beaks and rub them on their … They've done it alone and in pairs. He flew down from a utility wire and immediately spread his wing and laid flat against the ground. So, here it is again, with a few updates and new images. Again, don't know if mourning doves do this, but it's a possibility. In the sky they are looking for an updraft. I think this gives them the chance to rest their legs and perhaps also rest the muscles that hold their wings open. In this posture, the wings are mostly spread and drooped to the ground, exposing the bird's upper back, also called the mantle, which gives the action its name. I was concerned and went out to see if he/she could fly after it had laid there a few minutes. The other bird seems unconcerned with the bluebird and flew off. They were not hunting for bugs this time. I actually thought they were poisoned and dying! The birds simply sat there watching us in the early morning mist. They aren't quite sure why the birds do this, but it appears to be some way of maintaining the birds' feathers or something. Bees do it, and birds definitely do it—in all kinds of crazy ways. Like a choreographed dance, the three birds immediately turned around so their backs were to the sun and lifted their wings… As I watched I saw a larger bird approaching on the ground. The birds invariably adopt a posture in which the body feathers are fluffed up and one or both wings are held out from the body, with feathers spread. Similarly, Tufted Titmice assume a horizontal posture, may open their bills while slightly spreading their wings, and lunge at the intruder. even worms. Why do mockingbirds spread their wings while on the ground ... Why does a bird flying with outstretched wings seems to glide to the ground while a bird with its wings … ! The crow next jumped down on the ground apparently looking for the baby. After I refilled the feeder today, they started squatting low to the ground, wings spread, heads tilted to the left with mouths open. A bird will then place the tip of its wing on the ground anting rub its bill containing an ant and rub its wing from the tip of the wing up. Why do Mockingbirds flex their wings in short burst while on the ground? I was just watching the birds out of my window and there was a mourning dove in the yard, he/she spread out one wing, then the other wing and spread it's tail feathers apart and basically laid on the ground. (verb) Mantling is hunching, crouching, or arching shoulders and spreading wings over a recent kill to conceal it from other birds and predators who would be potential thieves. ... IE the "wing flex" is to "spook" their prey from the ground, like grasshoppers, beetles etc. The crow finally flew off. in a tree they are drying their wings. I have some jays that regularly feed on my patio. Immediately after this the two adult birds lit atop the bush and both started flashing their wings while looking into the bush below their feet. It seemed to me they were Communicating or attempting to do so. Aggressive geese may rear up and spread their wings when on land; aggressive loons rear up in the water. I don't know if mourning doves do that, as I have not seen them, but many birds will do this.