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Body temperature regulation in the brown-necked raven (Corvus corax ruficollis)—II. Thermal changes in the plumage of ravens exposed to solar radiation

1973; Elsevier BV; Volume: 45; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0300-9629(73)90450-7

0300-9629

Jacob Marder,

Physiological and biochemical adaptations

1. Temperatures through the plumage of the brown-necked raven (Corvus corax ruficollis) showed a gradient of 34·7°C (from 83·9 to 49·2°C) under intense solar radiation. 2. Heat conducted through the plumage on the back to the body was calculated at 0·57 kcal/hr, about 20 per cent of the standard metabolic rate. 3. Behavioural mechanisms are of considerable importance, enhancing heat dissipation by forced convection. 4. Black plumage surface heats up more than light-coloured feathers, but skin temperatures remain similar.