New research reveals how hummingbirds use their wings while in flight to avoid overheating.
Dr. Donald R. Powers, professor of Biology at George Fox University in Oregon and lead researcher of the study, published his findings in the journal Royal Society Open Science on Wednesday (December 16).
Flight muscles of birds generate excess heat that must dissipate in order to avoid overheating but dissipating the heat is difficult because birds are covered in feathers designed to insulate against heat loss.
According to Powers, the hummingbirds, and perhaps all birds, have “windows” that allow heat loss around their eyes, shoulder joints, feet and legs. These areas of the animal have a low feather density and support adequate heat loss for the hummingbirds to maintain their balance.
The low feather density areas are seen as bright white footage on thermal footage of hummingbirds in flight. The footage was recorded over a period or approximately four years, while Powers researched the topic.
According to the research, while this is a sustainable way of keeping their bodies balanced in low temperatures, increases in temperature might result in reduced flight activity for hummingbirds and, consequently, a decline in plant reproduction because of their major role as key pollinators.
The study is part of a NASA-funded project to uncover the effects of climate change on hummingbirds. Further research will help Powers and his team determine if climate changes will impede the ability of hummingbirds and other birds to dissipate heat throughout their body. (Reuters)
