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No Sweat! How Birds Beat the Heat
16 Jul
Summary
- Birds cool down by seeking shade and spreading wings.
- They pump blood to bare parts to disperse body heat.
- Bathing helps birds regulate temperature despite risks.
While humans endured a recent heatwave, birds have their own methods for staying cool. Lacking the ability to sweat, they rely on seeking shaded areas under trees and bushes. Birds also spread their wings to encourage air circulation and open their bills to release heat, similar to panting dogs.
Further cooling involves directing blood flow to their extremities, such as bills, legs, and feet, allowing excess body heat to dissipate. Bathing in ponds, streams, or bird baths is another effective technique. However, gathering for these activities can expose them to predators like sparrowhawks and cats.
Despite these adaptations, birds can experience stress during extended hot periods. Ground-feeding species may struggle to find invertebrates like earthworms in baked earth. Fortunately, the long daylight hours of this time of year allow them to rest during the hottest parts of the day and feed during the cooler dawn and dusk periods.
