Summary
Core temperatureT c, breast temperatureT s−br and leg temperatureT s−1 were measured simultaneously in pigeons during rest and flight in a wind tunnel, using thermistors.
MeanT c at rest is 39.8±0.7°C and is independent of ambient temperatureT a (10–30°C). In the first minutes of flight,T c increases to 1.5–3.0°C above resting level and remains at this higher level. This hyperthermia increases withT a (v=const.). It is±constant in the lowT a range (10.6–13.9°C) at flight speeds v ranging from 10–18 m s−1 and normal body mass, but increases with v and elevated body mass in the highT a range (23.7–28.8°C).
T s−1 is adapted toT a at rest and increases in flight up to 3–4°C belowT c. This increase inT s−1 is linear toT a.
T s−br is always lower thanT c, in extreme cases reaching restingT c in flight.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Aulie A (1971) Body temperatures in pigeons and budgerigars during sustained flight. Comp Biochem Physiol 39A:173–176
Baudinette RV, Loveridge JF, Mills CP, Schmidt-Nielsen K, Wilson KJ (1976) Heat loss from feet of Herring Gulls at rest and during flight. Am J Physiol 230:920–928
Bernstein MH (1974) Vascular responses and foot temperature in pigeons. Am J Physiol 226:1350–1355
Biesel W, Nachtigall W (1987) Pigeon flight in a wind tunnel. IV. Thermoregulation and water homeostasis. J Comp Physiol B 157:117–128
Butler PJ, West NH, Jones DR (1977) Respiratory and cardiovascular responses of the pigeon to sustained level flight in a wind tunnel. J Exp Biol 71:7–26
Hart JS, Roy OZ (1967) Temperature regulation during flight in pigeons. Am J Physiol 213:1311–1316
Hudson DM, Bernstein MH (1981) Temperature regulation and heat balance in flying white-necked ravens,Corvus cryptoleucus. J Exp Biol 90:267–281
Hyrtl J (1864) Neue Wundernetze und Geflechte bei Vögeln und Säugetieren. Sitz Ber Akad Wiss Wien 22:113–152
Pearson OP (1964) Metabolism and heat loss during flight in pigeons. Condor 66:182–185
Rothe HJ, Nachtigall W (1987) Pigeon flight in a wind tunnel. I. Aspects of wind tunnel design, training methods and flight behaviour of different pigeon races. J Comp Physiol B 157:91–98
Steen J, Steen JB (1965) The importance of the legs in the thermoregulation of birds. Acta Physiol Scand 63:285–291
Torre-Bueno JR (1976) Temperature regulation and heat dissipation during flight in birds. J Exp Biol 65:471–482
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hirth, K.D., Biesel, W. & Nachtigall, W. Pigeon flight in a wind tunnel. J Comp Physiol B 157, 111–116 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00702735
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00702735