Birds are warm-blooded or endotherms. However, you might not find them sweating to get proof. Rather, birds release the heat through their bills, by exhaling out hot air from the body. Also, if the cold increases, they use their feathers to trap their body heat, which acts as a jacket for them and keeps their body temperature warm.
But, to understand this better, you need to know the difference between warm blooded and cold blooded organisms.
What is the Difference Between Cold-Blooded and Warm Blooded Animals?
Let’s understand the science behind cold and warm blooded animals:
Cold Blooded Animals or Ectothermic Animals
The animals that fall into this category, cannot regulate their body temperature and are dependent on the environment. If the surrounding gets too cold, they cannot generate warmth in their body automatically, but they need to take support from warm surfaces or places, such as rocks around hot water springs or sun heated rocks. If the surroundings get colder or the temperature decreases, then these species usually go dormant. The most prominent organisms that fall in this category are reptiles and most of the fishes.
Warm Blooded Animals or Endothermic Animals
The animals which fall into this category have the capability to regulate the temperature and the process is known as sweating. So, when the body becomes hot, these animals release the heat through sweat and it helps them to cool down. However, if the animal is unable to sweat, then they breathe out hot air to cool the body temperature. The most prominent examples are mammals including humans.
Why are Birds Being Warm Blooded Important?
You can find birds all around the world and the main reason is that they are warm blooded organisms, thus they are not restricted to cold zones of the earth. Moreover, even in colder climates or winter seasons, they have the capability to stay warm, due to their feathers and blubbers. If birds were ectothermic, then their survival zones would have been limited and the ones living in deserts or tundras would not have survived.
How Birds Use Their Feathers to Generate Body Heat?
Birds have an adaptation technique where they can use their feathers to stay warm even in cold climates or winter seasons. When the surrounding temperature drops, the birds contract their muscles, which is similar to shivering and this generates energy which is converted into heat.
They also have a way of fluffing their features which creates insulation and thus, heat gets trapped and cold cannot enter. Often, small birds, such as passerine species are also seen huddling together, either on branches or any nooks and corners of buildings. This way they get to share their body heat and every bird tucks close to each other to stay warm.
Some birds also have scales on their feet which helps in minimizing the heat loss during cold days. Some birds even have the ability to stand on one leg or sit down hiding their legs to stay warm, such as waterfowls, and this way they also get to keep their extremities warm.
You may also find that some birds tuck their bills in their feathers and this keeps the bills stay warm and also helps to maintain body temperature. This process also helps them to breathe out warm air and adjust their body temperature.
What is the Average Body Temperature of Birds?
A bird’s exact body temperature varies based on the species. On average, the body temperature for most of the birds ranges from 102 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
