15
Dec

Why do birds often stand on one leg?

And for long periods of time?

Birds like Mallards and Flamingoes will often sleep standing on one leg.  The Boat-tailed Grackle pictured here is one from the video I posted (click on Videos on the left side of the page).  Notice how comfortable he looks standing on just one leg – and he stood like that for close to a minute.  Just resting and looking all around.  From my point of view – a completely human being point of view – how is this comfortable?  I cannot even imagine!  I would be lucky to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without wobbling all around and then toppling over.  How about you?  Yet birds will stand this way for long periods of time.

Observation and research on just why birds do this is ongoing at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology*.  Right now, the most widely accepted theory is that birds do this to conserve heat.  The arguments in support of this theory are compelling – after all, on colder days, we humans conserve heat by wearing heavier socks and either wearing gloves or putting our hands into our pockets.  Most birds have bare legs and feet so this theory of them raising one and tucking it within all those warm feathers makes sense.

But what about the birds who do this on warmer days?  Most Flamingoes live in warm environments 365 days a year and yet these birds are always standing for long periods of time on one leg – especially when sleeping.  And the photo I took of the Boat-tailed Grackle – he was on the pier at Kure Beach which is just off the coast of North Carolina.  And the temperature was in the mid-fifties with lots of sun.  Not a cold day at all.

Here in winter, on our small lake, we do have Canada Geese, a few Mallards, and for a week or two, Greater White-fronted Geese.  These birds will be walking on the ice and swimming in the frigid water for long periods of time with no sign of discomfort.  Meanwhile, I am inside my warm house, looking out the window, and they make me shiver to watch them, but they seem to have no trouble with this at all.  However, in my observation, they will most often sleep with their bellies lowered onto the ice and both legs all snug within feathers.  We do see them standing on one leg from time to time but no more than at any other time.

A Heron, Plover, and a Gull. All birds who commonly stand on one leg. Ducks, Geese, Sandpipers, and all shore birds also commonly do this. In my observations, songbirds like the Boat-tailed Grackle, will, but it is not as common. However, that may be because I do not often observe songbirds sleeping. When I see them, they are most often foraging, flying, tending nests and young, and interacting with each other. What are your observations? I took the photo of the grackle.  The remaining photos are by Joshua J. Cotten, Matt Bango, and Robbi O – all on Unsplash.

It is my thought that birds will stand on one leg to keep the other leg warm, but more often do it because it is simply a comfortable position for them.  Which I admit, with my teetering balance, I cannot even imagine.  All creatures rest in whatever position is most comfortable (and safest!) for them.  And that includes us.  I am most comfortable stretched out in bed, curled up on the sofa, or in my LazyBoy with my feet up.  I rest, doze, and sleep in all three positions.  Why would birds – or any creature – be any different?  We rest and sleep in the positions that are most comfortable and for some reason – for birds – that includes standing on one leg.

Obviously more research on bird anatomy and also observation is needed.  Do any of you have any thoughts or observations about this:  Why do birds stand on one leg for long periods of time?  If you do, use the Public Forum to tell us.

  • *For more information on this Lab, go to the menu for this website on the left side of the homepage, click on Articles I Have Written, and then Organizations that Not Only Help Birds But Will Help You Understand Birds.)