Book 16, Question 44
How Do Birds Cool Off Without Sweating?
Birds cannot sweat, but they have other ways to cool off! They open their beaks and flutter their throat skin so water evaporates from the mouth and throat. That carries heat away, a bit like a dog panting on a warm day.
More fun facts
- Birds have no sweat glands, so they need other ways to cool off.
- Many birds pant, like a dog after a game of fetch.
- Some storks and vultures poop on their legs, and as it dries, it carries heat away. This is called urohidrosis.
- Wading birds like scarlet ibises cool off by standing with their long, thin legs in cool water.
- A quick soak in a birdbath is one of the best ways for birds to cool down.
Sources: Smithsonian, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
What do birds do instead of sweating?
Many birds pant, some stand in cool water, and a quick soak in a birdbath helps too.