What is horaltic pose and why do birds do it?

[@wolfgangromine8341]

Just about a month ago I saw a whole tree full of crows in horaltic pose. It was really cool. At the time it had just finished raining, so I assumed they were drying their feathers, and now with this video I know that to be true! Pretty neat.

[@Masada1911]

I normally associate this behaviour with cormorants. I see it frequently and it always makes me smile. Thank you so much for educating us on this behaviour :-)

[@allthingsbirdie]

Thanks so much for the super thanks! I appreciate it!

[@onehalfspin]

I had no idea this would be so interesting!

[@holocoffin]

Cormorants gather in large groups nearby part of the year and I love seeing a bunch of them in this pose. They also tuck their heads in when they rest. They are very majestic creatures. I see herons in this pose occasionally as well. Birds are just so wonderful.

[@joseywales6168]

Oh hey I do that pose sometimes too; in wind and calm, sun and rain

[@KarlBunker]

I used to live near a pond where a lot of cormorants hung out. I loved seeing them in this pose -- "Hey, check out my awesome wings!" 😊

[@rusticitas]

A new word to research!

[@heatherh3457]

I saw a pair of Trumpeter Swans do this in July. They were in a shallow pond. To start with they reared up like horses then plunging down into the water a couple of times after which they extended their wings like this. They followed this up by raked at their flight feathers, dragging their beaks down the full length . It was an incredible display that was repeated for about 10 minutes.

[@caroltrego1379]

I saw two great blue herons walking slowly in a marshy pond once in Assateague Island, Va. I took pictures and still remember that day. I thought it was a mating ritual but knew it was not that.

[@travisbicklejr]

Anhingas and DC Cormorants-I see them seasonally in my area.

[@RizkyChannel55]

Very nice

[@jackvoss5841]

And, on the other side of this coin, flies the osprey. After diving to catch a fish, and emerging with a forward-facing fish in its talons, the osprey gains air speed just above the water. It then “shivers” its wings, dispensing a trail of heavy mist along behind. This doesn’t fully dry the wings, but it does dump a fair amount of unwanted weight. Then, they regain air speed and proceed to gain altitude. Later, they may spread wings to dry them? But, I haven’t seen them do that. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@bobloblaw204]

You sound just like Mandy from Body Language Ghost. So soothing. Thank you.

[@allthingsbirdie]

Thank you!

[@dianestiner8602]

We have many Cormorants hanging around in our Lake Léman. I like to watch them drying their wings or suddenly diving. But oh my, such hatred for them. Saying, of course they are too many and they "steal" the fish intended for us humans 😠

[@johnscanlon8467]

Do you mean 'heraldic'? That's an actual word.