Help birds beat the heat

Keep birdbaths and fountains clean and filled with fresh water. Photo by J.J. Meyer

 

 

             Excessive heat warnings are in effect for most of the Southwest this week. People can crank up the air conditioner, but how do birds beat the heat?

 
              Birds have several physiological and behavioral adaptations to help them maintain a constant body temperature of 105 to 107 degrees. Scientists refer to this mechanism as thermoregulation. 

 

Without sweat glands, birds can’t perspire like humans, nor do they pant like dogs. Instead, birds open their bills to expose their mucous membranes to the air, which sends cooler air into their air sacs. They also flutter their throats in a form of avian panting called “gular fluttering.” 

 
            It’s also common to see birds sitting with open wings, which circulates air next to their bodies.  Some species are known to spread their wings to shade their nestlings from the sun. Female hummingbirds will beat their wings over their nests to cool their eggs or hatchlings. 

 

Birds sleek down their feathers to avoid trapping air next to their skin when the environment is too warm. And like many other species, birds become less active in the heat, retreating to the shade where they can hide and cool off.  

 

Help our fine feathered friends by keeping your birdbath filled with clean water. And clean and refill nectar feeders daily.

 

Happy birding!

J.J.