About the Author

Guy Brunskill

Alumni Ranger

Guy worked as a ranger for Londolozi from 2017 until the end of 2021. He grew up in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. From a young age he visited the bush each holiday. It was during these early years that his passion and interest was ...

View Guy's profile

29 Comments

on Ostrich Dust Bath

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Interesting blog Guy. Love the video.

Annie.Lane07
Explorer

Interesting reading and beautiful visuals. Thank you.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Guy, I loved the photos, especially oxpecters, and the white fronted bee eaters🤗

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

powerful & informative indeed the way you presented on preening exhibited by birds.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

lmages very very beautiful and hugely help one to quickly understand the message portrayed

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Bee eaters enmasse image is very beautiful.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

I found the piece on Ostrich lacking that preening oil is very enlightening.thank you

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

Hello Guy, thank for for the lovely video! Ostrich are impressive birds, they are quite interesting from a behavioural point of view and are just spectacular! Any news about new chicks?

Kara Taylor
Master Tracker

Looks more like it’s doing an exotic dance ….beautiful and practical 😊

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

We saw this behavior 2 years ago and assumed they were providing cover for chicks. Thanks for the update!

Kimmy Johnson
Explorer

We met the female ostrich in 2015 prior to her finding her mate. She had taken a particular liking to our ranger Don, so I was able to photograph some great pictures. So much so that when we moved to the next location we watched a group of zebra looking off in the distance in tandem, they were watching her approach to visit Don some more!!! Great photo of the zebra at the watering hole looking off together as well.

Barbi Evenson
Senior Digital Ranger

Great info, and great photo work! The color of the sky/sun behind the ostriches makes it so beautiful. And all the little touches of color on the other birds… lovely

Cally Staniland
Master Tracker

Great footage with that African sky as a backdrop Guy. Last time I saw Ostrich dust bathing was in the Western Cape. Incredible to watch,as you said ❤️🙏

Wendy Hawkins
Senior Digital Ranger

This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us. I see birds dust bathing & now I know why they do. Thank you Guy for this explanation & lovely pictures ❤️

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

Great bird photos and video of the ostriches, Guy! The white -fronted bee-eaters are such lovely birds.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

I didn’t know about dust-bathing – fascinating!

Carly M
Digital Tracker

Beautiful video with the sun setting behind!

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Summer and winter preening behavioural adaptations are really fascinating.birds have surely evolved tactically prowess.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

birding simplified greatly and supporting images crystal clear

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Very cool information, and seemingly counterintuitive – getting dirty to get clean!!! But your explanation makes complete sense, taken from the birds’ perspectives!! Thanks!

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Beautiful video of ostrich dust bathing.nature never dissapoints

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

More ostriches and cheetahs please. Nice post. Never thought of it.

Any (good…) news of the chicks on the property? Thank you Guy.

Barbi Evenson
Senior Digital Ranger

Always wonderful to welcome new life to Londolozi…. Such amazing creatures! And why is it once again the male is sooooo spectacular in plumage compared to the female🥴truly beautiful

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

There’s always something new to learn so thank you for educating us. I watch birds here use the birdbath daily, but have never seen dust bathing! Something to look for next year!

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

Guy, Thanks for the education! We learn something new every morning when the blog arrives! 🙂

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Interesting!

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Interesting! Ostriches are really fascinating creatures!

Sande Olocho
Explorer

This is an outstanding shot with that background. Great composition.

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile