Kimberly Morrise captured a video of birds struggling to breathe on Friday as dangerously hot conditions with heat index values topped 110 degrees in Collierville, Tennessee.
Birds don't sweat, but they have several ways to cool down. They primarily dissipate excessive heat by panting, just like a dog.
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When I was just a youngster, my granddad ran a chicken ranch for Foster Farms near Hughson CA where it typically hits 100 degrees or more during the hot months. I came down for the summer from Washington State where we were living at the time
I thought all birds panted like dogs all the time. I bet I was 16 years old before I ever saw a chicken walking around with its beak closed.
The birds here in the Deep South are sitting in the shade with their wings spread and mouth open.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never seen that. But I am from the NE.
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