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.
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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
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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
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00702735