I am watching the birds on my patio eat the seeds I put out for them and I notice that they walk and hop all over the snow and do not seem at all bothered. They don't seem to feel the cold at all on their feet. I wonder why that is.
2007-02-20 02:28:58 · 3 answers · asked by manibal_mf 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
i see this too from my window
legs are keratin layer with very few blood vessels specially for those birds
by the way birds are warm blooded not cold blooded (class aves)
2007-02-20 02:34:36 · answer #1 · answered by the vet 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
birds have a very efficient way of keep their feet from freezing. there are two blood vessels, both right next to one another. one blood vessel sends the warm blood to the feet, it circles around and is sent back into the birds' body. this is a very simplified explanation, but you get the idea.
there are lots of good texts on ornithology that can give you a more detailed explanation.
2007-02-20 13:06:53 · answer #2 · answered by clarinets1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think their nerve endings in their feet are placed so that they don't feel the cold too well.
2007-02-20 11:02:55 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋