A Bird's Form of Panting (to cool down) Tuesday's Truths WK 217

The “real feel” temperatures climbed into the 90's this past weekend and weather conditions like this are very hard on our avian community. I am very mindful of having fresh water for them but it is still very difficult for them to cool down in situations like this. One thing birds do to cool off is to open their beaks ever so slightly as the young European starling is doing in the picture atop this entry.

They also will hold their beak wide open as the American robin seen in these next pictures is doing.

This behavior is a form of panting, which is what dogs do to cool down. I truly empathize with these birds need to beat the heat. It's been hard for me to cool down too.

I live on the top floor of a building and the heat from the roof makes my home very hot and I have felt quite ill because I no longer have an air conditioner. 

This past March I removed the one I've had (since the early 1990's) when mold was detected in my appliance. It was my hope to replace my AC with one from a NYC city program but unfortunately that platform has been discontinued for now. Therefore I'm feeling pretty ill, and like my visiting birds am trying to find ways to be comfortable in the heat.

On another subject, and as you may know, the types featured in this post are included (along with 25+ other avian creatures) in my three volume hardcover book series, Words In Out Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

The goal of these books is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in a rooftop urban garden (mine) in New York City, my story is told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective.