Baby robin

Hi I have this baby robin that’s starting to come very tame. Today in the garden it was sitting on my knee and turned away from me. I then saw something running on its back. Unsure what it is and if there is anything to do to help? I saw it yesterday laying flat sunning itself. Any help or advice on what to do would be much appreciated! 

would a dust bath with Diatomaceous earth help? 

  • Hi Eriansky, lovely to see that you have a very confiding juvenile robin. I wouldn't worry about the insect on its back as the "sunning" activity that birds do and what you saw this young robin engaging in can help to rid their feathers of such parasites. I've also seen blackbirds and Jays pick ants up to place under their wings and on their body (called anting) which is also supposed to help rid them of parasites, something I believe is to do with the formic acid that ants secrete that help de-louse the birds !

  • Thank you. I’ll leave it be and hopefully it will be ok. Just didn’t want it to get sick. Thanks for the reply !