Temperature regulation of the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) in the Negev desert-II. Field measurements of standard operative temperatures and behaviour

David Ward, Berry Pinshow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. 1. Great grey shrikes (Lanius excubitor) are found over much of the Holarctic, including the most severe deserts in the Middle East. We measured operative environmental temperatures of great grey shrikes using unheated taxidermic mounts in the field in summer and winter, and calculated standard operative temperatures from these values. 2. 2. Resistance to heat loss in the shrikes was low compared to other small endotherms. 3. 3. Standard operative temperature lies within the thermoneutral zone throughout the shrikes' morning and afternoon foraging periods in summer. In winter, standard operative temperature was below lower critical temperature throughout the day. 4. 4. We found no significant relationship between activity of these shrikes and standard operative temperature in winter.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-279
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Thermal Biology
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1995

Keywords

  • Lanius excubitor
  • Standard operative temperature
  • behavioural thermoregulation
  • environmental temperature
  • passerine birds
  • shrikes
  • taxidermic mount

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (all)
  • Developmental Biology

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