Exhaled air temperature as a function of ambient temperature in flying and resting ducks.
Exhaled air temperature (T (exh)) has a paramount effect on respiratory water loss during flight. For migratory birds, low T (exh) potentially reduces water loss and increases flight range. However, only three studies provide empirical data on T (exh) during flight. The aim of this study was to record T (exh) of birds during rest and flight at a range of controlled ambient temperatures (T (amb)). One wigeon and two teal flew a total of 20 times in a wind tunnel at T (amb) ranging from 1 degrees to 24 degrees C. T (exh) during flight did not differ between the two species and was strongly correlated with T (amb) (T (exh)=1.036 T (amb) + 13.426; R2=0.58). In addition, body temperature had a weak positive effect on T (exh). At a given T (amb), T (exh )was about 5 degrees C. higher during flight than at rest.
Engel
Sophia
S
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Von-der-Tann-Str 7, 82346, Andechs, Germany. engel@orn.mpg.de
Klaassen
Raymond H G
RH
Klaassen
Marcel
M
Biebach
Herbert
H
D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D004372:Ducks / Q000502:physiology*; D045853:Exhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D005426:Flight, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D014867:Water