The effect of wind, radiation and body orientation on the thermal environment of Greater Snow goose goslings

Abstract

1. Using four heated taxidermic mounts of Greater Snow goose goslings of different ages (3–30 d), we found that exposure to wind (up to 5 m/s) or artificial radiation (up to 500 W/m 2) could change the standard operative temperature of gosling mounts by up to −20 or +18°C, respectively. 2. These values could vary by as much as 9°C due to the interaction between wind and radiation, or to changes in body orientation with respect to both these variables. In the presence of wind, radiative heat gain was reduced, and the interaction was generally more important when wind was perpendicular to the incoming radiation. 3. Predictive equations based on these results can be used to estimate the standard operative temperature of goslings in the field and their ability to modify their thermal environment by changing orientation with respect to wind and sun.