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

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Abstract

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° to 24°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°C higher during flight than at rest.

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Abbreviations

T exh (°C):

Exhaled air temperature: the temperature of respired air when it leaves the body

T amb (°C):

Ambient temperature

t s(s):

Time needed for the thermistor to fully stabilise after a temperature change

T av(°C):

Averaged temperature of respired air over inspiration and expiration

RF(Hz):

Respiratory frequency

T db(°C):

Rectal temperature

V T(ml):

Tidal volume

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the assistance of Andrea Wittenzellner and Brigitte Biebach during the bird training and experiments. Johannes Sagunsky shared his electronic expertise and Scott McWilliams improved our language. This is publication 3786 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). The experiments reported here comply with the German and Dutch laws for animal welfare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Von-der-Tann-Str. 7, 82346, Andechs, Germany

    Sophia Engel & Herbert Biebach

  2. Centre for Limnology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631AC, Nieuwersluis, Germany

    Raymond H. G. Klaassen & Marcel Klaassen

Authors
  1. Sophia Engel
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  2. Raymond H. G. Klaassen
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  3. Marcel Klaassen
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  4. Herbert Biebach
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Correspondence to Sophia Engel.

Additional information

Communicated by G. Heldmaier

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Engel, S., Klaassen, R.H.G., Klaassen, M. et al. Exhaled air temperature as a function of ambient temperature in flying and resting ducks. J Comp Physiol B 176, 527–534 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-006-0075-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-006-0075-x

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