Another hot and muggy day across the North county yesterday with some temps reaching up to 91* in Oceanside Ca.
Some of you may have been worried that Sydney was to hot in the box but owls are able to reduce their body temperature in hot weather by "panting" through partially opened bills. This is called "gular fluttering" - (gular having to do with the throat area.) Warm air is exchanged ambient air which is drawn into the highly vascular throat where the blood vessels are constricted, thus enabling heat dispersion. Also at high temps, owls may stand erect, droop wings & use gular flutter to self-cool.
Owls also get their water (fluids) from the prey they consume..
Click on any picture for larger viewing
;
Sydney left the box at 8:48pm OBT