Book 31, Question 60 · Video
How do birds keep their eggs from getting too hot or too cold?
Parent birds are like living thermometers. On cool days they sit tight and warm the eggs with their brood patches. On hot days they stand over the eggs and shade them with their bodies or wings. Some birds, such as certain plovers, even soak their belly feathers in water to cool their eggs. Even a few degrees can make a difference for a growing chick.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do birds keep their eggs from getting too hot or too cold?
The Big Idea
Eggs need to stay just the right temperature. Not too hot, not too cold! How do birds manage it?
Cool Days
Step one: Cool Days. On cool days, parent birds sit tight and warm the eggs with their brood patches. They are like living thermometers.
Hot Days
Step two: Hot Days. On hot days, they stand over the eggs. They shade them with their bodies or wings.
Wet Belly
Step three: Wet Belly. Some birds, like certain plovers, soak their belly feathers in water to cool their eggs. Even a few degrees can make a big difference for a growing chick.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Sit tight. Shade them. Cool them. Just right.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Chicken eggs hatch best at about 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Wings make shade for eggs. Some plovers bring water on their feathers. A few degrees make a big difference.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, place a thermometer in a sunny window. Place another in the shade. Wait 15 minutes. Compare the temperatures. A bird has to manage that kind of difference.
Outro
Parent birds act like living thermometers. On cool days they sit tight to warm their eggs, on hot days they stand and shade them, and some plovers even soak their belly feathers to cool them. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!