How Hot is too Hot??

[taalberg]

What does everyone do to keep the mews cool when it gets hot? What are the signs of a bird being too hot, and how hot before you get worried?.........Thanks

[Morgan]

Well it depends on the bird... for the "how hot is too hot" a red tail would be less affected than a gyr. Some signs, if I remember correctly, is lethargy, unresponding, possibly open mouth breathing... If i'm not mistaken, I believe that the results of heat exhaustion/stroke are similar from humans to birds.

[Weasel]

Morgan is correct. If the bird is panting, it is hot. I am down here in "heat central" in Texas and we don't really see many problems in the 110 degree heat. Just make sure there is plenty of ventilation and ALWAYS make sure the bird has access to fresh water. If they get too hot, they will drink or bathe to cool off.

[Yarak]

These birds dissipate heat through panting. Rising up in high thermals is done by wild raptors to cool off also. Direct sun is much harder on them than shade. Both Rts and HHs are found in desert regions. That really only means that they have adapted to living in a hotter environment. A Gos or any raptor from more cooler climates would be far less tolerant. Feathers are great at insulating from both heat and cold. You may also observe a bird dissipating heat by standing the feathers out just as it does when its cold.
Yarak