Poor-Will Research Articles

Apparent Drinking by the Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

Apparent Drinking by the Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

Notes on a Captive Poor-Will in Alberta

Notes on a Captive Poor-Will in Alberta

Cutaneous Water Loss in the Roadrunner and Poor-Will

Avian physiologists have generally assumed that since birds lack sweat glands, cutaneous evaporation is negligible. However, recent data indicate that the skin represents a major avenue of evaporative water loss (EWL) in the Painted Quail (Excalfactoria chinensis), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), Zebra Finch (Poephila castanotis) (Bernstein 1969, 1970, 1971a, b), and the Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia) (Smith 1969; Smith and Suthers 1969). Not all birds lose large amounts of water through the skin. SchmidtNielsen et al. (1969) state that the skin plays a minor role in EWL in Ostriches (Struthio camelus), contributing less than 2 percent of total evaporation at 400C. The purpose of this study was to examine cutaneous evaporation in two North American desert-inhabiting birds, the Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) and the Poor-will (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii). Oxygen consumption and EWL have been studied previously in both species over a wide range of ambient temperatures (Bartholomew et al. 1957; Bartholomew et al. 1962; Calder and Schmidt-Nielsen 1967; Lasiewski 1969; Lowe and Hinds 1969).

Temperature Changes in Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) at Lowered Environmental Temperatures

There are many references concerning torpor in the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica). Storer (in Marshall 1960) stated that they can compensate for the great output of energy (required by their almost constant flight) by becoming torpid at night. McAtee (1947) gave many accounts of inactive swifts and stated that torpidity from brief to extended periods is possible, and that under favorable circumstances, hibernation seems a possibility. Berger (1961) stated that hibernation is known in Chimney Swifts. Lack (1956) referred to the discovery in December 1879 of a group of seven Chimney Swifts stowed away in an unused stove pipe in New York state. Hypothermia and hibernation have been found in other species of swifts and in related birds. Koskimies (1948) found that European Swifts (Apus apus) became temporarily poikilothermic, or torpid, when deprived of food. White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) have been shown to become torpid when exposed to both cold and starvation (Bartholomew et al. 1957). Members of various genera of hummingbirds (Pearson 1950, 1953; Howell and Dawson 1954; Lasiewski 1963) and Poorwills, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (Bartholomew et al. 1957; Howell and Bartholomew 1959, and references cited therein), exhibit true hibernation with hypothermia. Lesser Nighthawks, Chordeiles acutipennis (Marshall 1955), and colies, Colius (Huxley et al. 1939), apparently become torpid. With this background of reports of torpor in the Chimney Swift and of the demonstration of hypothermia among its relatives, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the body temperature of the Chimney Swift changes during periods of lowered environmental temperatures.

Physiological responses to heat stress in the poorwill.

ARTICLESPhysiological responses to heat stress in the poorwillRC LasiewskiRC LasiewskiPublished Online:01 Nov 1969https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.5.1504MoreSectionsPDF (2 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Previous Back to Top Next Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByAnti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Phytogenic Substances against Secret Killers in Poultry: Current Status and Prospects14 January 2023 | Veterinary Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 1Regulation of body temperatureHeat Stress Causes Immune Abnormalities via Massive Damage to Effect Proliferation and Differentiation of Lymphocytes in Broiler Chickens7 February 2020 | Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol. 7The avian “hibernation” enigma: thermoregulatory patterns and roost choice of the common poorwill20 November 2018 | Oecologia, Vol. 189, No. 1Avian thermoregulation in the heat: evaporative cooling capacity of arid-zone Caprimulgiformes from two continentsJournal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 220, No. 19Avian thermoregulation in the heat: efficient evaporative cooling in two southern African nightjars3 November 2016 | Journal of Comparative Physiology B, Vol. 187, No. 3Torpor in Free‐Ranging Tawny Frogmouths ( Podargus strigoides )Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Vol. 74, No. 6Regulation of Body TemperatureField metabolic rates and body mass changes in common poorwills ( Phalaenoptilus nuttallii : Caprimulgidae)24 March 2016 | Écoscience, Vol. 3, No. 1Thermoregulation in Adult SeabirdsEvaporative losses of water by birdsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 71, No. 4Avian Incubation: Egg Temperature, Nest Humidity, and Behavioral Thermoregulation in a Hot EnvironmentOrnithological Monographs, No. 30Adjustments of Australian birds to thermal conditions and water scarcity in arid zonesComparative studies of thermoregulatory and osmoregulatory behaviour and physiology of five species of sandgrouse (Aves: Pterocliidae) in Morocco20 August 2009 | Journal of Zoology, Vol. 183, No. 2Regulation of Body TemperatureTemperature regulation and water requirements of the monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachusOecologia, Vol. 18, No. 4Roles of metabolic level and temperature regulation in the adjustment of Western plumed pigeons (Lophophaps ferruginea) to desert conditionsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 44, No. 2Circulation, respiratory volumes and temperature regulation of the pigeon in dry and humid heatComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 43, No. 3Temperature Regulation in Newly Hatched Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla)The Condor, Vol. 74, No. 2RESPIRATORY FUNCTION IN BIRDSCutaneous Water Loss in the Roadrunner and Poor-WillThe Condor, Vol. 73, No. 4Temperature Regulation in the Little Papuan Frogmouth, Podargus ocellatusThe Condor, Vol. 72, No. 3ADDENDUMBiological Reviews, Vol. 45, No. 2 More from this issue > Volume 217Issue 5November 1969Pages 1504-1509 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1969 by American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.5.1504PubMed5346319History Published online 1 November 1969 Published in print 1 November 1969 Metrics

Some Aspects of Temperature Relations in Small Owls

THE owls, Strigiformes, and goatsuckers, Ca.primulgiformes, are the only widespread groups of terrestrial birds in which most species are crepuscular or nocturnal. Members of these groups exhibit morphological modifications related to their modes of life, such as enlarged, specialized eyes and the asymmetrical ears of some owls. It is of interest to speculate on possible physiological modifications in metabolic rates and temperature regulation that can be correlated with nocturnal periods of activity. Birds active at night, when temperature is at its lowest, would possibly require less special augmentation of metabolic rate, as by shivering, than diurnal species. In addition they might have low rates of metabolism that would decrease energy requirements. Nocturnal species might be expected to be less tolerant of high ambient temperatures than diurnal ones that are active during the warmer parts of the daily cycle, and also, to be less capable of withstanding extreme elevations, of body temperature. Two species of the family Caprimulgidae, the Poor-will (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) and the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), have been carefully studied and both do, indeed show unusually low rates of metabolism (Bartholomew et al., 1962; Lasiewski and Dawson, 1964). Both species also have highly effective systems of evaporative cooling that permit them to withstand high ambient temperatures with little elevation in body temperatures (Lasiewski and Bartholomew, 1966; Lasiewski and Dawson, 1964). As similar studies dealing with the physiology of small owls are lacking, I carried out investigations on several members of this group in conjunction with my study of the Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi (Ligon, 1968).

Responses to Temperature by the Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus guttatus)

Caprimulgid birds have proved to be intriguing subjects for physiological research. Some, the Poor-will (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii), the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), and the European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), have been observed to become dormant under appropriate conditions in the field or laboratory (Jaeger 1948, 1949, 1954; Thorburg 1953; Marshall 1955; Novrup 1956; Bartholomew et al. 1957; Howell and Bartholomew 1959; Bartholomew et al. 1962; Lasiewski and Dawson 1964; Peiponen 1965, 1966). Several, the Poor-will, Common Nighthawk, and Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), have been found to excel in their resistance to

Patterns of Panting and Gular Flutter in Cormorants, Pelicans, Owls, and Doves

Most birds pant when subjected to heat stress, but some supplement evaporation from the respiratory tract by fluttering the gular area. Gular flutter occurs in at least the following taxa: cormorants, pelicans, boobies, anhingas, frigate-birds, herons, owls, doves, roadrunners, colies, and many gallinaceous species. The mechanics of gular flutter have been examined only in the Poor-will, Phalaenoptilus nuttallii (Lasiewski and Bartholomew 1966), but data on rates of gular flutter are available for a number of species, including the Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (Lasiewski and Dawson 1964), Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia (Calder and Schmidt-Nielsen 1966), Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), Gambel's and California Quail (Lophortyx gambelii and L. californicus), Painted Quail, Excalfactoria chinensis, Screech Owl, Otus asio, and Mourning Dove, Zenaidura macroura (Lasiewski et al. 1966b). The ability of birds that employ gular flutter to dissipate all of their metabolic heat through evaporation has been demonstrated in the Poor-will (Bartholomew et al. 1962), Common Nighthawk (Lasiewski and Dawson 1964), Domestic Pigeon (Calder and Schmidt-Nielsen 1966), Inca Dove, Scardafella inca (MacMillen and Trost 1967), and the Painted Quail (Lasiewski et al. 1966a). In caprimulgids the rate of flutter is independent of heat load and appears to be determined by the resonant properties of the gular area, just as the panting rate of dogs is determined by the resonant properties of the thoraco-abdominal region (Crawford 1962). The present study was undertaken to examine aspects of gular flutter and breathing in several birds of widely differing morphology and behavior. Through the cooperation of the staff of the San Diego Zoological Gardens, we were able to make measurements on a Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), a Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), a Homed Owl (Bubo virginianus), and a Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura) and a Horned Owl were studied on the Los Angeles Campus of the University of California.

Second Poor-Will Specimen for Saskatchewan

Second Poor-Will Specimen for Saskatchewan

Body Temperature, Oxygen Consumption, Evaporative Water Loss, and Heart Rate in the Poor-Will

The physiology of the Poor-will (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) is of unusual interest. Not only is it one of the very few birds which can undergo long periods of dormancy comparable in most respects to mammalian hibernation, but over much of its summer range it is exposed to severe conditions of heat because of its habit of spending the daylight hours, even in the desert, sitting quietly in the open. During the past year we have had the opportunity to make a series of observations on two captive, adult PIoor-wills, one (P. n. hueyi) captured by Mr. Donald Schroeder in the Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California, and the other (P. n. californicus) found in a torpid condition in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles County, California, by Mrs. Gerald Massey. Both birds were maintained for many months in captivity and were fed on a diet of meal worms (Tenebrio larvae) and canned cat food. The limited information on the physiology of Poor-wills has previously been summarized (Bartholomew, Howell, and Cade, 1957; Howell and Bartholomew. 1959) and need not be reviewed here.

First Poor-Will Specimen for Saskatchewan Taken

First Poor-Will Specimen for Saskatchewan Taken

The Eared Poor-Will

The Eared Poor-Will

Observations on the Behavior of a Captive Poor-Will

Observations on the Behavior of a Captive Poor-Will

Nesting Behavior of the Poor-Will

Nesting Behavior of the Poor-Will

Nesting Records of the Dusky Poor-Will

Nesting Records of the Dusky Poor-Will