Observed something rather strange on Sunday driving down my street about noon. A bird,(sp unidentified but likely a house finch) was moving/hopping across the street when all of a sudden it threw itself on it's back and proceeded to flail around, legs bicycling in the air, body writhing like a snake. After about 2 seconds of that it stood up, took a few more steps and repeated the exercise. It happened one more time but by then it was in my rear view mirror. The third time it looked like it was doing the elementary back stroke (sort of a rowing motion w its wings) Should have stopped to satisfy my curiosity right then.
Anyway, I haven't begun to research this but wondered if anyone else has seen similar behavior. The surface was asphalt, somewhat gravelly. So far, my guesses are: 1) this was some sort of anting, dusting behavior however seems very odd that a bird would expose it's belly to the sky, 2) are there records of epilepsy in birds (or other seizure- causing maladies)? or 3) bird was practicing a new type of slam- dancing. Any insights are appreciated Mary Geder Lakewood, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.