noun
- a behavior in birds where they rub ants or other insects on their feathers, possibly for pest control or feather maintenance
Usage: ornithology
Examples
- The ornithologist observed the crow engaging in anting behavior.
- Anting is common among many songbird species.
- The bird picked up an ant and rubbed it through its wing feathers during anting.
- Researchers study anting to understand bird grooming habits.
- The blue jay’s anting session lasted several minutes.