Body temperature and aspects of behavioural temperature regulation in some neonate subarctic and arctic birds

Body temperatures were measured and aspects of behavioural temperature regulation studied in neonate birds of several species brooded in subarctic/arctic areas. The studies were performed during field and laboratory conditions. Subadult body temperatures were found in all chicks in the field and also in the chicks allowed to select ambient temperatures in a thermal gradient box. It is suggested that subadult neonate body temperature in birds is a normal physiological condition connected to a lowered thermoregulatory set-point. The observation that motor coordination was not impaired even at severe hypothermia is suggested to favour survival of the chicks in cold climates.

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