This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Hummingbird Tops?
It appears that the Black metaltail hummingbird, in the Andes of South America, has acquired a new record. This tiny bird shows an energy-conserving phenomenon called 'daily torpor'. On cold nights, its body temperature can go as low as 3.3 degrees Centigrade (https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hummingbirds-black-metaltail-cold-torpor). During the day time, when it is actively feeding on the nectar from flowers, its body temperature can shoot up to 40 degrees Centigrade. This is a bird whose rapid wing beats allow it to fly forewards, backwards, upside down and to hover.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Seeing the Changes 2183
Early ripening fruit may seem convenient but some folk think it confirms environmental stress. There's also a possibility th...
-
Early ripening fruit may seem convenient but some folk think it confirms environmental stress. There's also a possibility th...
-
It's necessary, where possible, to replace diesel and petrol-fueled vehicles by electrical equivalents. Electric vehicles (EVs) don...
No comments:
Post a Comment