Birds basking in natural 'saunas'
New research led by the University of Otago—Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka shows some bird species may be taking advantage of natural geothermal "health spas."
University of Otago researchers have discovered that certain bird species may be utilizing geothermal areas for their health benefits, much like humans use natural saunas. Published in Ornithology, the study revealed that birds like black swans and gulls spend more time preening in sulfurous steam compared to non-geothermal locations.
Senior author Crid Fraser explains that this behavior could help birds rid themselves of parasites and pathogens, which is particularly significant given the global spread of disease agents through birds. The researchers hypothesize that sulfur in the steam, a known insecticide and fungicide, might be aiding the birds in parasite removal.
To test this theory, undergraduate students observed five bird species in both geothermal and non-geothermal areas around Rotorua, logging 3,000 minutes of data over several weeks. While the findings are preliminary, they suggest that wildlife may also be benefiting from geothermal areas, offering an intriguing parallel to human health practices.
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