The nest is about three feet across and a foot high.
Ants are a valuable part of the ecosystem, and since they don't bother anyone (thankfully north Idaho isn't known for fire ants), we leave them alone.
Their nest is busy enough on the surface when things are calm.
But poke 'em with a stick, and they instantly swarm defensively over the foreign object.
So imagine our surprise this morning when the girls noticed a starling standing smack-dab on top the ant's nest, gobbling ants as fast as he could.
The starling hopped and bobbed and snatched at his breakfast.
But every few seconds he contorted himself into a funny shape as he picked or brushed the swarming ants off him.
Gobble...
...and pick.
Gobble...
...and pick.
Again...
...and again.
Talk about ants in his pants! Er, feathers! That's a brave bird.
