Okay, you’re right. I didn’t actually try to give a robin a bath. But if I did….

This is really an account of what an American Robin sometimes does when he uses a bird bath.

Stage 1 - The Perch

First, he’ll situate himself on the rim of the bird bath.

An American Robin standing on the edge of a bird bath

Perhaps he’ll take a look around to make sure no one is watching.

Or maybe he’s looking to make sure someone is watching.

Stage 2 - The Plunge

When he’s satisfied with his audience, or lack thereof, he’ll take the plunge, so to speak. One can’t really plunge into 3 inches of bird bath water. (Hm, maybe a hummingbird could.)

An American Robin flapping in a bird bath

How wet can a robin get in just a few inches of liquid?

Stage 3 - The Bath

It turns out he can get rather thoroughly soaked.

An American Robin shaking himself in a bird bath An American Robin standing in a bird bath An American Robin getting soaked in a bird bath

Lacking a towel and the wherewithal to even use one, what does a bird do to free himself of the excess water?

Stage 4 - The Preen

A robin hops back up onto the edge of the bird bath and shakes and contorts himself in the most interesting (and hilarious) ways.

American Robin preening after a bath American Robin preening after a bath American Robin preening after a bath American Robin preening after a bath American Robin preening after a bath

Having cleansed himself completely, he then flies off to peck in the dirt for his next meal.

Disclaimer: The first 2 photos above were not from the same bathing session as the last 8, but they fit the story so well that I just had to include them.