Are birds using geothermal areas to help remove parasites?

Intriguing observations of birds occupying geothermal environments raises the question of whether such areas offer health benefits. Sulphur, a common chemical in geothermal areas, is widely known for its insecticidal and fungicidal properties. We hypothesize that birds may use geothermal environments as a form of environmental parasite management, with such behavior reflected in their activity patterns. We observed and compared the behaviors of 6 bird species at geothermal and non-geothermal sites in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Our observations revealed behavioral differences between the two habitat types. Notably, species such as Cygnus atratus (kakianau or Black Swan) and gulls displayed increased preening behaviors in geothermal areas. These findings offer preliminary, intriguing support for the hypothesis that some birds may select geothermal habitats to aid in parasite control.