Thermoregulatory extension of feet in flying sooty terns
Grant GS. 1993. Thermoregulatory extension of feet in flying sooty terns. Micronesica. 26(2):217-219
Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata) on Rose Atoll, American Samoa, extended their feet to keep cool. Several recent field studies have demonstrated correlations of feet-extension into the air stream during flight with high temperatures. These behaviors include shading the eggs and feet, elevating the scapular feathers, abducting the wings to expose thinly feathered areas, belly-soaking, foot-wetting, and panting. During a brief stay near a Sooty Tern colony on Rose Atoll, it was apparent that the adults were employing an additional thermoregulatory behavior-those entering and exiting the colony flew with extended legs and feet during the hottest part of the day.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Grant, Gilbert
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Birds (Aves), Body Temperature, Physiology, sooty tern (Sterna fuscata)