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Using a Thermal Camera to Measure Heat Loss Through Bird Feather Coats
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Footedness in merlins: Raptors perching in a cold climate.

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  • 1Environmental Science Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Canada.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bird foot preference for perching is not consistent. Merlins (Falco columbarius) showed a peak in one-footed perching at moderate cold temperatures, suggesting thermoregulation isn't the main driver.

Keywords:
Bird of preyFalco columbariusfootednesslateralitywinter

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Area of Science:

  • Ornithology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Thermoregulation

Background:

  • Unipedal (one-footed) perching is common in birds, especially in cold weather to conserve heat.
  • However, the consistency of foot preference and the role of thermoregulation in this behavior are not well understood, particularly in birds of prey.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate foot preference and the relationship between temperature and unipedal perching in overwintering merlins (Falco columbarius).

Main Methods:

  • Radio tracking was used to observe nine free-living merlins over 486 hours in Saskatoon, Canada.
  • The proportion of time spent in unipedal posture was recorded in relation to ambient temperature.

Main Results:

  • Five of nine merlins showed a foot preference, but this was not consistent across individuals.
  • Four birds were ambidextrous.
  • A curvilinear relationship was observed between temperature and unipedal perching, with a peak usage around -10 to -19°C, and lower usage at warmer and colder temperatures.

Conclusions:

  • While some merlins exhibit foot preference, thermoregulation may not be the primary factor driving unipedal perching behavior in colder temperatures.
  • The relationship between temperature and unipedal perching is complex and not linear.