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Artículo Científico en Inglés Sobre Termorregulación en Aves

Birds have a thermal window of unfeathered skin that allows them to better regulate body temperature through various physiological mechanisms. The thermal window supports evaporative cooling when birds excrete moisture onto their legs, as well as countercurrent heat exchange between arteries and veins. It also facilitates overall heat dissipation through radiation, conduction, and convection. These adaptations help birds maintain stable body temperatures and prevent overheating, especially in hot environments.

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Ingrith Yuriana Vergara Villegas
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76 views2 pages

Artículo Científico en Inglés Sobre Termorregulación en Aves

Birds have a thermal window of unfeathered skin that allows them to better regulate body temperature through various physiological mechanisms. The thermal window supports evaporative cooling when birds excrete moisture onto their legs, as well as countercurrent heat exchange between arteries and veins. It also facilitates overall heat dissipation through radiation, conduction, and convection. These adaptations help birds maintain stable body temperatures and prevent overheating, especially in hot environments.

Uploaded by

Ingrith Yuriana Vergara Villegas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Artículo científico en inglés sobre termorregulación en aves

NOMBRE: Ingrith Yuriana Vergara Villegas

DOCENTE: Mutis Barreto Claudia

ASIGNATURA: Fisiología general


Physiological Reasons for Birds with a Thermal Window

Birds with a thermal window in the ventral parts of their body have a better performance in
reducing body temperature due to several physiological reasons. The thermal window refers
to an area of unfeathered skin that allows for efficient heat exchange with the environment.
This adaptation helps birds regulate their body temperature in hot environments. Here are
some physiological reasons for this:

1. Evaporative Cooling: The thermal window allows birds to engage in evaporative cooling.
When the ambient temperature is high, birds can increase heat loss by excreting onto their
unfeathered legs. This evaporation of moisture from the skin surface helps dissipate heat
and lower body temperature.

2. Countercurrent Heat Exchange: Birds have a countercurrent heat exchange system in


their legs . Arteries and veins in the legs lie in contact with each other, allowing for the
transfer of heat from warm arteries to cool veins. This helps retain heat in cold environments
and minimize heat loss.

3. Heat Dissipation: The thermal window facilitates heat dissipation from the body. By
exposing unfeathered skin to the environment, birds can release excess heat through
radiation, conduction, and convection. This helps prevent overheating and maintains a stable
body temperature.

Consequences of High Ambient Temperature for Birds High ambient temperatures can
have several consequences for birds:

1. Reduced Foraging Rate: In hot and dry environments, high air temperatures often lead to
a reduced foraging rate in birds. They tend to rest more during the hottest parts of the day,
which decreases their overall energy intake. This reduced foraging rate can impact their
ability to find sufficient food resources.

2. Foraging Difficulties: High temperatures can make it challenging for birds to combine
foraging with behaviors that promote heat dissipation. Birds may need to prioritize
thermoregulation over foraging, leading to a decrease in foraging success.

3. Reduced Food Availability: High temperatures can also affect food availability for birds.
Prey species may seek shelter from the heat, making it harder for birds to find food. This
reduced food availability can result in nestlings being fed less and with lower quality prey,
which can have negative effects on their growth and development. In summary, high ambient
temperatures can impact birds' foraging behavior, foraging success, and food availability,
which can have consequences for their growth and overall performance. The thermal
window in birds helps them regulate their body temperature and cope with high temperatures
through evaporative cooling and heat dissipation.

Referencia

file:///Users/claudia/Downloads/fevo-08-576331.pdf

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