Bird lovers: please explain to me this bird behavior

[CTyankee]

She (I think she's a robin) is spreading (fanning out) her tail feathers while ducking her head and pecking her sides, doing it several times in a row for about a full minute. Sorry I don't have a video, she just appeared on the tree by my window. This is a tree or a bush that, past years, has had hummingbirds feeding at it each early May (but not this year nor last and I am so afraid something bad has happened).

What is going on with this bird?

[hlthe2b]

1. I have no expertise, but always thought they were cleaning themselves (lice, etc)

'Happy to be corrected, but since they seem to do this frequently at the bird bath, that was my assumption.

[CTyankee]

3. That's what I thought, altho there is no bird bath there.

I wish I could get one. Maybe I'll ask at my local Stop and Shop. They have bird feed.

[MuseRider]

7. Do you have a big saucer

that would go under a big planter or pot? Anything like that that has a lip big enough to hold water. You can put that down, put some different sized rocks in it or whatever you might have around and just change the water daily and you have one until you can get one. They will love it.

[CTyankee]

8. Probably not. But I could look around for one. Also my neighbors might help. They can see that

bird activity too.

[sarge43]

10. A medium large planter saucer works well as bird bath.

Place it on some kind of stand so it's off the ground and near a bush or some kind of hidey hole so they feel comfortable. About an inch of water so the little guys can use it. Plus it serves as water hole.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. Sounds like she's sunning herself

[CTyankee]

4. Alas, no sun there...

[marble falls]

5. Practicing.

[CTyankee]

6. Oh, yes! That's a good reason...but her performance was wonderful!

The fanning of her tail feathers was really spectacular. I wish I could do that...

[sarge43]

9. Possibly dealing with the mites and other tiny pests. n/t

[Donkees]

11. ''Anting'' is a maintenance behaviour ...

Anting is a maintenance behaviour during which birds rub insects, usually ants, on their feathers and skin. The bird may pick up the insects in its bill and rub them on the body (active anting), or the bird may lie in an area of high density of the insects and perform dust bathing-like movements (passive anting). The insects secrete liquids containing chemicals such as formic acid, which can act as an insecticide, miticide, fungicide, or bactericide. Alternatively, anting could make the insects edible by removing the distasteful acid, or, possibly supplement the bird's own preen oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anting_(bird_activity)

[In_The_Wind]

12. I've watched that behavior. Now, I know more about it.

Thanks

[Mike 03]

13. Robins love water

One way to make a quick and dirty water feature for birds is to buy one of those inexpensive adjustable nozzles that has multiple settings, set it to 'mister' or the lightest sprinkler setting and stick it in a bush so that it sprays over a large bowl/saucer or bird bath. Just barely turn the hose on so it's a very light spray.

Other birds will enjoy it too. Most of my birds are morning-bathers. They lose interest around noon, so I turn it off and hopefully my water bill won't be too high.

Happy birding!