Name: using a thermal camera to measure heat loss through bird feather coats
Uploaded: 2020-06-17T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using a Thermal Camera to Measure Heat Loss Through Bird Feather Coats at JoVE.com

This research was funded in part by a University of Connecticut Research Advisory Council Faculty Large Grant to M. Rubega. K. Burgio was supported on National Science Foundation NRT- IGE grant #1545458 to M. Rubega. The manuscript was significantly improved by the thoughtful feedback of two anonymous reviewers.

This work did not involve any work with live animals and was therefore exempt from animal care review.
1. Set-up and materials (Figure 1)
<ol>
	<li>If flat skins of the species of interest are not available, use Spaw&#8217;s protocol29 to create skins from fresh or frozen specimens. Preen feathers into a neat, natural position, and dry to obtain a constant weight before proceeding with measurements.</li>
	<li>Set up a constant temperature hot water bath. 
	NOTE: ...

<ol>
	<li>Morris, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Feather+Postures+of+Birds+and+the+Problem+of+the+Origin+of+Social+Signals.">The Feather Postures of Birds and the Problem of the Origin of Social Signals.</a> Behaviour. 9, 75-111 (1956).</li><li>Wetmore, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> A Study of the Body Temperature of Birds. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. 72 (12), (1921).</li><li>Hart, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Acclimatization+in+Four+Species+of+Small+Wild+Birds.">Seasonal Acclimatization in Four Species of Small Wild Birds.</a> Physiological Zoology. 35 (3), 224-236 (1962).</li><li>Veghte, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thermal+and+Metabolic+Responses+of+the+Gray+Jay+to+Cold+Stress.">Thermal and Metabolic Responses of the Gray Jay to Cold Stress.</a> Physiological Zoology. 37 (3), 316-328 (1964).</li><li>Brush, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Energetics,+Temperature+Regulation+and+Circulation+in+Resting,+Active+and+Defeathered+California+Quail,+Lophortyx+californicus.">Energetics, Temperature Regulation and Circulation in Resting, Active and Defeathered California Quail, Lophortyx californicus.</a> Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 15, 399-421 (1965).</li><li>Dawson, W. R., Carey, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Acclimatization+to+Temperature+in+Cardueline+Finches.">Seasonal Acclimatization to Temperature in Cardueline Finches.</a> Journal of Comparative Physiology. 112, 317-333 (1976).</li><li>Cooper, S. J., Swanson, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Acclimatization+of+Thermoregulation+in+The+Black-Capped+Chickadee.">Seasonal Acclimatization of Thermoregulation in The Black-Capped Chickadee.</a> The Condor. 96, 638-646 (1994).</li><li>Bush, N. G., Brown, M., Downs, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Effects+on+Thermoregulatory+Responses+of+the+Rock+Kestrel,+Falco+rupicolis.">Seasonal Effects on Thermoregulatory Responses of the Rock Kestrel, Falco rupicolis.</a> Journal of Thermal Biology. 33, 404-412 (2008).</li><li>Nzama, S. N., Downs, C. T., Brown, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Variation+in+the+Metabolism-Temperature+Relation+of+House+Sparrows+(Passer+domesticus)+in+KwaZulu-Natal,+South+Africa.">Seasonal Variation in the Metabolism-Temperature Relation of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.</a> Journal of Thermal Biology. 35, 100-104 (2010).</li><li>Noakes, M. J., Wolf, B. O., McKechnie, A. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Metabolic+Acclimatization+Varies+in+Direction+and+Magnitude+among+Populations+of+an+Afrotropical+Passerine+Bird.">Seasonal Metabolic Acclimatization Varies in Direction and Magnitude among Populations of an Afrotropical Passerine Bird.</a> Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 90 (2), 178-189 (2016).</li><li>Taylor, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thermal+insulation+of+the+down+and+feathers+of+pygoscelid+penguin+chicks+and+the+unique+properties+of+penguin+feathers.">Thermal insulation of the down and feathers of pygoscelid penguin chicks and the unique properties of penguin feathers.</a> The Auk. 103 (1), 160-168 (1986).</li><li>Ward, J. M., Houston, D. C., Ruxton, G. D., McCafferty, D. 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R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Avian Anatomy: Integument. , (1972).</li><li>Osv&#225;th, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+feathered+are+birds?+Environment+predicts+both+mass+and+density+of+body+feathers.">How feathered are birds? Environment predicts both mass and density of body feathers.</a> Functional Ecology. 32, 701-712 (2018).</li><li>Pap, P. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+phylogenetic+comparative+analysis+reveals+correlations+between+body+feather+structure+and+habitat.">A phylogenetic comparative analysis reveals correlations between body feather structure and habitat.</a> Functional Ecology. 31 (6), 1241-1251 (2017).</li><li>Caccamise, D. F., Weathers, W. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Winter+Nest+Microclimate+of+Monk+Parakeets.">Winter Nest Microclimate of Monk Parakeets.</a> The Wilson Bulletin. 89 (2), 346-349 (1977).</li><li>Broggi, J., Gamero, A., Hohtola, E., Orell, M., Nilsson, J. &. #. 1. 9. 7. ;. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interpopulation+variation+in+contour+feather+structure+is+environmentally+determined+in+great+tits.">Interpopulation variation in contour feather structure is environmentally determined in great tits.</a> PLoS ONE. 6 (9), 24942 (2011).</li><li>Howell, S. N. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Molt in North American Birds. , (2010).</li><li>Willoughby, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Unusual+Sequence+of+Molts+and+Plumages+in+Cassin's+and+Bachman's+Sparrows.">An Unusual Sequence of Molts and Plumages in Cassin's and Bachman's Sparrows.</a> The Condor. 88 (4), 461-472 (1986).</li><li>Wetmore, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Number+of+Contour+Feathers+in+Passeriform+and+Related+Birds.">The Number of Contour Feathers in Passeriform and Related Birds.</a> Auk. 53, 159-169 (1936).</li><li>Staebler, A. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Number+of+Contour+Feathers+in+the+English+Sparrow.">Number of Contour Feathers in the English Sparrow.</a> The Wilson Bulletin. 53 (2), 126-127 (1941).</li><li>Barnett, L. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Changes+in+Temperature+Acclimatization+of+the+House+Sparrow,+Passer+domesticus.">Seasonal Changes in Temperature Acclimatization of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus.</a> Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 33, 559-578 (1970).</li><li>Middleton, A. L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonal+Changes+in+Plumage+Structure+and+Body+Composition+of+the+American+Goldfinch,+Carduelis+tristis.">Seasonal Changes in Plumage Structure and Body Composition of the American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis.</a> The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 100 (4), 545-549 (1986).</li><li>Lei, F. M., Qu, Y. H., Gan, Y. L., Gebauer, A., Kaiser, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+feather+microstructure+of+Passerine+sparrows+in+China.">The feather microstructure of Passerine sparrows in China.</a> Journal f&#252;r Ornithologie. 143 (2), 205-213 (2002).</li><li>D'alba, L., Carlsen, T. H., &#193;sgeirsson, &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., Shawkey, M. D., J&#243;nsson, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contributions+of+feather+microstructure+to+eider+down+insulation+properties.">Contributions of feather microstructure to eider down insulation properties.</a> Journal of Avian Biology. 48 (8), 1150-1157 (2017).</li><li>Gilbert, C., Robertson, G., Le Maho, Y., Naito, Y., Ancel, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Huddling+behavior+in+emperor+penguins:+dynamics+of+huddling.">Huddling behavior in emperor penguins: dynamics of huddling.</a> Physiology &amp; Behavior. 88, 479-488 (2006).</li><li>Kvadsheim, P. H., Folkow, L. P., Blix, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+device+for+measurement+of+the+thermal+conductivity+of+fur+and+blubber.">A new device for measurement of the thermal conductivity of fur and blubber.</a> Journal of thermal Biology. 19 (6), 431-435 (1994).</li><li>Spaw, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Combination Specimens a la Burke Museum. , 21-28 (1989).</li><li>Infrared Emissivity Table. ThermoWorks Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thermoworks.com/emissivity_table">https://www.thermoworks.com/emissivity_table</a> (2019)</li><li>Cossins, A. R., Bowler, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Temperature Biology of Animals. , (1987).</li><li>Hammel, H. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Infrared+Emissivities+of+Some+Arctic+Fauna.">Infrared Emissivities of Some Arctic Fauna.</a> Journal of Mammalogy. 37 (3), 375-378 (1956).</li><li>McNab, B. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Analysis+of+the+Body+Temperatures+of+Birds.">An Analysis of the Body Temperatures of Birds.</a> The Condor. 68 (1), 47-55 (1966).</li><li>Crawford, E. C., Lasiewski, R. 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This paper provides a protocol for repeatable, standardized thermal imaging measurements of avian flat skin specimens. This method makes it possible to compare thermal performance of the feather coat among species, within species, between comparable individuals, and at different locations on the bodies of individuals, all without destruction of the specimen.
The availability of necessary materials and equipment may be a limitation of this method. Although thermal cameras are rapidly becoming m...

Feathers are the defining characteristic of birds and serve many functions, among the most crucial being insulation1. Birds have the highest average core temperatures of any vertebrate group, and feathers insulating them from environmental temperature changes are a vital part of energy balance, especially in cold environments2. Despite the importance of feathers, the majority of literature on changes in thermal condition in birds has focused on metabolic responses to temperature variation rather than the function of feathers as insulation3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (for further details, refer to Ward et al.)11,12,13. However, feathers themselves may vary across time, individuals, and species.
The method presented here is useful for quantifying the overall thermal value of the feather coat alone. It removes confounding factors in live birds, such as behavioral thermoregulation1 and varying amounts of insulating fat. More widespread measurement of the thermal performance of feather coats is necessary to improve the understanding of how feathers contribute to insulation and how this varies among and within species throughout a bird&#8217;s life history and annual cycle.
Feathers insulate birds by trapping air both between the skin and feathers as well as within the feathers, and they create a physical barrier to heat loss14. Feathers consist of a central feather shaft, called a rachis, with projections called barbs14. Barbules are small, secondary projections on barbs that interlock with adjacent barbs together to &#8220;zip&#8221; up the feather and give it structure. Furthermore, down feathers lack a central rachis and have few barbules, therefore forming a loose, insulative mass of barbs over the skin14. Feather coats vary across species15,16, within species17,18, and within comparable individuals2,19,20,21,22,23,24. However, there is little quantitative information about how variations in number of feathers, the relative abundance of different types of feathers on a bird, or changes in the numbers of barbs/barbules affect the overall thermal performance of a feather coat. Previous studies have focused on determining a single mean value of insulation and thermal conductivity for a given species11,12,13.
The feather coat is known to vary among species. For example, most birds have distinct areas of skin from which feathers do, or do not, grow called the pterylae and apteria, respectively14. The placement of the pterylae (sometimes called &#8220;feather tracts&#8221;) varies across species and has some value as a taxonomic character14. However, some birds (i.e., ratites and penguins) have lost this pterylosis and have a uniform distribution of feathers across the body14. Additionally, different species, especially those inhabiting different environments, have different proportions of feather types15. For example, birds inhabiting colder climates have more down feathers15 and contour feathers with a larger plumulaceous portion16 than species inhabiting warmer environments.
The microstructure of certain types of feathers may also have an effect on insulation across species25,26. Lei et al. compared the microstructure of contour feathers of many Chinese Passerine sparrows and found that species inhabiting colder environments have a higher proportion of plumulaceous barbs in each contour feather, longer barbules, higher node density, and larger nodes than species inhabiting warmer environments25. D&#8217;alba et al. compared the microstructure of down feathers of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) and graylag geese (Anser anser) and described how these differences affect both the cohesive ability of the feathers and ability of the feathers to trap air26. Quantitative comparative data about how these variations in feathering affect the overall thermal performance of the feather coat across species is limited (for more details, refer to Taylor and Ward et al.)11,13.
Within a species, the feather coat&#8217;s thermal performance may vary. Some species, such as the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)17, inhabit very large and diverse geographical ranges. The different thermal stresses posed by these different environments may affect the feather coats of birds within a species regionally, but there are currently no data available on this topic. Additionally, Broggi et al. compared two populations of great tits (Parus major L.) in the northern hemisphere. They demonstrated that contour feathers of the more northern population were denser but shorter and less proportionally plumulaceous than those of the more southern population. However, these differences disappeared when birds from both populations were raised in the same place18.
Furthermore, Broggi et al. explained these findings as a plastic response to differing thermal conditions, but they did not measure the insulation values of these different feather coats18. The results also suggest that contour feather density is more important to insulation than the proportion of plumulaceous barbs in contour feathers, but Broggi et al. suggested that northern populations may be unable to produce optimal feathers due to a lack of adequate nutrients18. Quantitative measurements of the overall thermal performance of these feather coats would further the understanding of the significance of plumage differences.
Over time, the feather coats of individual birds vary. At least once a year, all birds molt (replace all of their feathers)19. As the year goes on, feathers become worn2,20 and less numerous18,21,22,23. Some birds molt more than once a year, giving them multiple distinct feather coats each year19. Middleton showed that American goldfinches (Spinus tristis), which molt twice a year, have a higher number of feathers and higher proportion of downy feathers in their basic plumage in winter months than they do in their alternate plumage during summer months24. These annual differences in the feather coat may allow birds to conserve more heat during colder periods passively or shed more heat passively during warm seasons, but no studies have tested this conclusively.
Although birds thermoregulate behaviorally1,27 and can acclimate metabolically to different thermal conditions3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,26, feathers play an important role in thermoregulation by providing a constant layer of insulation. The method described here is designed to answer questions about the feather coat alone and its role in passive thermoregulation (i.e., how much heat does a living bird retain without modifying its behavior or metabolism?) by isolating the feathers. While active and physiological thermoregulation are ecologically important, it is also important to understand how the feathers alone aid in insulation and how they influence the need for active behavioral and physiological thermoregulation.
Previous studies have established methods for quantifying thermal conductivity and thermal insulation of animal pelts11,12,13,28. The method presented here is an extension of the &#8220;guarded hot plate&#8221; method11,12,13,28. However, the method described here measures the temperature at the outer boundary of the feather coat using a thermal camera, rather than thermocouples. The guarded hot plate method gives very precise estimates of energy flow through a pelt, but it requires construction of a multi-material hot plate, some familiarity with the use of thermocouples and thermopiles, and destructive use of a pelt that must be cut into small pieces. These pieces are then greased to eliminate air between the sample and hot plate apparatus. With the exception of the few birds that lack apteria (e.g., penguins), cutting small squares from bird skins is problematic for comparative purposes, since the location of the cut has large effects on the number of feathers actually attached to (and overlying) the skin. This problem is exacerbated by the variation among taxa in the presence, size, and placement of ptyerlae14.
Furthermore, while museum specimens can be a potentially rich resource for assessing the variation in insulation among birds, in general, permission to cut and grease skin specimens in scientific collections is unattainable. Additionally, specimens taken from the wild for guarded hot plate measurements cannot be subsequently used as museum specimens. The method presented here differs from the guarded hot plate method in that it can be used with whole dried bird skins, without 1) requiring the destruction of the specimen and 2) greasing the underside of the skin. It uses thermal cameras, which are increasingly affordable (though still relatively expensive), precise, and used for live bird measurements of thermal relations.
This method does not measure energy flow (and therefore thermal conductivity or insulation value) through the skin and feathers directly as the guarded hot plate method does. Instead, it measures the temperature at the outer boundary of a feather coat using a thermal camera. The resulting values represent an integrated measure of the heat lost passively through the skin, feathers, and air trapped between them (compared to a heat source underneath). Specimens prepared as flat skins and measured using the described technique can be stored in collections, and indefinitely provide value for future research. This method provides a standardized, comparable, and relatively simple way to measure feather coat thermal performance in any flat skinned specimen, which is especially useful in inter- and intra-specific comparisons.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Aluminum Foil</td>
			<td>Reynolds Wrap</td>
			<td>109000831</td>
			<td>30 square ft.; this exact model need not be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Foam Core Board</td>
			<td>Foamular</td>
			<td>20WE</td>
			<td>1 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft; this exact model need no be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>General Purpose Water Bath</td>
			<td>PolyScience</td>
			<td>WB02</td>
			<td>Ambiet +5 &#176;C to 100 &#176;C; &#177;.01 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDF Data logger</td>
			<td>Elitech</td>
			<td>RC-51H</td>
			<td>Built in temperature and humidity sensor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plexiglass</td>
			<td>AdirOffice</td>
			<td>1212-3-C</td>
			<td>Acrylic glass; 12 in. x 12 in. x 1/8 in.; this exact model need not be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermal Image Analysis Software</td>
			<td>FLIR</td>
			<td>ResearchIR Max v4.40.7.26 (64-bit)</td>
			<td>Allows collection of precise, quantitative thermal data</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermal Imaging Camera</td>
			<td>FLIR</td>
			<td>SC655</td>
			<td>680x480-pixel resolution, &#177;2 &#176;C or &#177;2% accuracy, 40 cm minimum focusing distance</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tripod</td>
			<td>The Audubon Shop</td>
			<td>The Birder Tripod with Manfrotto 700RC2 Rapid Release Head</td>
			<td>65&#34; maximum height; this exact model need not be used.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

using a thermal camera to measure heat loss through bird feather coats

Feathers are essential to insulation, and therefore to the cost of thermoregulation,&#160;in birds. There is robust literature on the energetic cost of thermoregulation in birds across a variety of ecological circumstances. However, few studies characterize the contribution of the feathers alone to thermoregulation. Several previous studies have established methods for measuring the insulation value of animal pelts, but they require destructive sampling methods that are problematic for birds, whose feathers are not distributed evenly across the skin. More information is needed about 1) how the contribution of feathers to thermoregulation varies both across and within species and 2) how feather coats may change over space and time. Reported here is a method for rapidly and directly measuring the thermal performance of feather coats and the skin using dried whole skin specimens, without the need to destroy the skin specimen. This method isolates and measures the thermal gradient across a feather coat in a way that measurements of heat loss and metabolic cost in live birds, which use behavioral and physiological strategies to thermoregulate, cannot. The method employs a thermal camera, which allows the rapid collection of quantitative thermal data to measure heat loss from a stable source through the skin. This protocol can easily be applied to various research questions, is applicable to any avian taxa, and does not require destruction of the skin specimen. Finally, it will further the understanding of the importance of passive thermoregulation in birds by simplifying and accelerating the collection of quantitative data.

Representative results from a series of one individual of each of five species, measured at six temperatures, are presented in Figure 4 and Figure 5. These show that small variations in the placement of the skin can result in variations in the readings of up to 1.7 &#176;C. Figure 4 shows how training of an investigator increases repeatability of the measurements. For example, the same individual house sparrow (Passer domesticus...

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Using a Thermal Camera to Measure Heat Loss Through Bird Feather Coats

This protocol describes the quantification of heat transmission through a flat skinned avian specimen using a thermal camera and hot water bath. The method allows obtaining of quantitative, comparative data about the thermal performance of feather coats across species using dried flat skin specimens.

Feathers are essential to insulation, and therefore to the cost of thermoregulation,&#160;in birds. There is robust literature on the energetic cost of ...

This protocol allows the collection of quantitative data describing heat loss through avian feather coats. This type of data is not readily available in the field of avian ecology. This method is useful for comparative studies that detail the loss of heat through avian feather coats, and can be applied to any avian taxa and mammals.Set up a constant temperature hot water bath. Place a sheet of clear acrylic glass over the surface of the water bath. And over the glass, place a piece of one inch thick foam core board with a 0.5 inch circular hole.Attach a thermal camera to a tripod directly above the setup at the camera's minimum focusing distance. To calibrate the camera, begin by clicking the override camera file, then set the distance to the minimum focusing distance of the camera. After setting the emissivity to one in the thermal camera software, place aluminum foil over the foam and capture a thermal image.The temperature at the surface of the aluminum foil is the reflected temperature. Enter this number in the camera calibration software and set the emissivity to 0.95. Then enter the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity.Set the hot water bath to the target temperature. In the thermal camera software, draw a circle or ellipse over the hole in the foam. This ensures that the correct area is measured when the flat skin is placed over the hole.Place the flat skin specimen on the foam core with the area of interest over the hole. To position the skin correctly, gently touch the feathers in the target measuring area with one fingertip. The residual heat from the fingertip will briefly remain visible on the thermal image.Move the skin specimen until the target measuring area is within the circle drawn in the software. The placement of the skin over the heat source has a large effect on the repeatability of data values. This step should be practiced before data collection.Wait 15 minutes to allow the skin specimen to acclimatize to the heat source. If measurements are made too early, the temperature value at the surface of the feather coat will be too low. Take a thermal image of the flat skin, then change the emissivity to match the emissivity of the acrylic glass.Remove the skin from the foam and immediately capture a thermal image of the acrylic glass. Then repeat the entire process. First, open the image of the acrylic glass.After ensuring that the emissivity is set to the emissivity of the acrylic and that the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity match the conditions in the lab at the time the image was captured, record the temperature value from the center of the circle. Next, open the thermal image of the flat skin. Set the emissivity to 0.95, the emissivity of the feathers.Record the temperature value at the center of the circle. Then repeat this process for all pairs of captured images. Training of an investigator increases repeatability of the measurements.For example, the same individual house sparrow was measured five times at a single target temperature by an inexperienced investigator. After training, one investigator measured the same specimen five times at the same target temperature. A small pilot sample suggests that this method for measuring thermal performance of the feather coat is likely to yield important insight into the thermal ecology of birds.Variation in the slopes of the resulting data demonstrates that the thermal performance varies across species. Investigator skill alone does not control for variation in R-squared values. For example, it was particularly difficult to obtain measurements repeatedly in the house sparrow, even after training, compared to the Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Bluebird.This method allows researchers to explore how feather coats vary thermally across species, within species and within comparable individuals.

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