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The Journal of Experimental Biology 205, 3435-3443 (2002)
Copyright © 2002 The Company of Biologists Limited

Metabolic response to wind of downy chicks of Arctic-breeding shorebirds (Scolopacidae)

George S. Bakken1,*, Joseph B. Williams2 and Robert E. Ricklefs3

1 Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809, USA
2 Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, 1735 Niel Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1293, USA
3 Department of Biology, University of Missouri — St Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St Louis, Missouri 63121-4499, USA

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: LSGSB{at}scifac.indstate.edu)

Accepted 12 August 2002

Wind is a significant factor in the thermoregulation of chicks of shorebirds on the Arctic tundra. We investigated the effect of wind at speeds typical of near-surface conditions (0.1-3 ms-1) on metabolic heat production, evaporative cooling and thermal conductance of 1- to 3- week-old downy scolopacid chicks (least sandpiper Calidris minutilla; short-billed dowitcher Limnodromus griseus; whimbrel Numenius phaeopus). Body mass ranged from 9 to 109 g. To accurately measure the interacting effects of air temperature and wind speed, we used two or more air temperatures between 15° and 30°C that produced cold stress at all wind speeds, but allowed chicks to maintain normal body temperature (approximately 39°C). Thermal conductance increased by 30-50% as wind speed increased from 0.1 to 3 ms-1. Conductance in these chicks is somewhat lower than that of 1-day-old mallard ducklings of similar mass, but higher than values reported for downy capercaillie and Xantus' murrelet chicks, as well as for adult shorebirds. Evaporative water loss was substantial and increased with mass and air temperature. We developed a standard operative temperature scale for shorebird chicks. The ratio of evaporative cooling to heat production varied with wind speed and air temperature.

Key words: shorebird, thermoregulation, wind speed, conductance, insulation, standard operative temperature, metabolism, evaporative water loss, down, least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla, short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus, whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus


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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2002