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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
10:07
Thermal Imaging to Study Stress Non-invasively in Unrestrained Birds
Published on: November 6, 2015
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Evidence that stress-induced changes in surface temperature serve a thermoregulatory function
Joshua K Robertson1,2, Gabriela Mastromonaco2, Gary Burness3
1Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, K9L 0G2 joshuarobertson@trentu.ca.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|January 25, 2020
Summary
Stress causes changes in surface temperature in birds, helping them manage heat. This thermoregulatory adaptation is crucial for survival in varying environments.
Area of Science:
- Physiological ecology
- Animal behavior
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Body temperature fluctuations after stress are known but their function is unclear.
- Two hypotheses exist: haemoprotective (injury response) and thermoprotective (stress response management).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional value of stress-induced surface temperature changes.
- To differentiate between the haemoprotective and thermoprotective hypotheses.
Main Methods:
- Exposed black-capped chickadees (n=20) to stressors across an ambient temperature gradient.
- Monitored surface temperature (eye region) using infrared thermography.
- Compared stressed birds to controls.
Main Results:
- Stressed birds reduced surface temperature and heat loss at low ambient temperatures.
- Stressed birds increased surface temperature and heat loss at high ambient temperatures.
- Results support the thermoprotective hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- Stress-induced surface temperature changes are adaptive and serve a thermoregulatory function.
- The thermal environment significantly influences vertebrate physiological responses to stress.
- Findings have implications for understanding animal responses in a changing climate.
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