Exhaled air temperature as a function of ambient temperature in flying and resting ducks

Exhaled air temperature (T (exh)) has a paramount effect on respiratory water loss during flight. For migratory birds, low T (exh) potentially reduces water loss and increases flight range. However, only three studies provide empirical data on T (exh) during flight. The aim of this study was to record T (exh) of birds during rest and flight at a range of controlled ambient temperatures (T (amb)). One wigeon and two teal flew a total of 20 times in a wind tunnel at T (amb) ranging from 1 degrees to 24 degrees C. T (exh) during flight did not differ between the two species and was strongly correlated with T (amb) (T (exh)=1.036 T (amb) + 13.426; R2=0.58). In addition, body temperature had a weak positive effect on T (exh). At a given T (amb), T (exh )was about 5 degrees C. higher during flight than at rest.