Heat loss from feet of herring gulls at rest and during flight

Abstract

The role of the feet of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in heat dissipation was estimated during rest and wind-tunnel flight. We determined the blood flow to the feet and the arteriovenous temperature difference and thus estimated heat loss from the feet. Determinations of oxygen consumption and respiratory water loss at rest gave a heat production of about 8 W; 37-56% of this heat was lost from the feet (air temp = 10-35 degrees C). During flight heat production was estimated to be about 57 W and heat loss from the feet was 46 W, about 80% of the heat production in flight. Thus the webbed feet are an important avenue of heat loss in the herring gull.