Energy Expenditure and Metabolic Changes of Free-Flying Migrating Northern Bald Ibis.

ABSTRACT: Many migrating birds undertake extraordinary long flights. How birds are able to perform such endurance flights of over 100-hour durations is still poorly understood. We examined energy expenditure and physiological changes in Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremite during natural flights using birds trained to follow an ultra-light aircraft. Because these birds were tame, with foster parents, we were able to bleed them immediately prior to and after each flight. Flight duration was experimentally designed ranging between one and almost four hours continuous flights. Energy expenditure during flight was estimated using doubly-labelled-water while physiological properties were assessed through blood chemistry including plasma metabolites, enzymes, electrolytes, blood gases, and reactive oxyge

SUBMITTER: Bairlein F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4573986 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature