The survival habits of a native Australian bird have given Curtin University researchers vital clues that may help understand how wildlife can withstand harsh heatwaves that may prove fatal.<\/p>\n
The research, published in Frontiers in Physiology<\/em>, monitored the physiological and behavioural responses that enabled zebra finches, an iconic desert bird, to survive extreme temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius over three to four days at Fowlers Gap, north of Broken Hill in New South Wales.<\/p>\n Lead author Dr Christine Cooper, from Curtin\u2019s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said researchers monitored zebra finches, which are distinctive native birds known for their zebra-striped tails and \u00a0commonly found in the drier parts of Australia, while they were feeding and drinking.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven that birds are particularly susceptible to extreme weather events and there have been recent cases of mass bird deaths during heatwaves, it is important to understand how desert Australian birds respond to heatwaves,\u201d Dr Cooper said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur research found that zebra finches survived heatwaves of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius by avoiding or limiting their movement during the hottest parts of the day and pre-emptively feeding and drinking in preparation for long periods of inactivity.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Cooper said the research offered important clues to understand how other species may respond to extreme weather events, including harsh Australian heatwaves.<\/p>\n \u201cThe research found that the short-term predictability of heatwaves may be an important factor in the survival of zebra finches during these extreme weather events because the birds anticipated the harsh conditions and modified their behaviour to survive,\u201d Dr Cooper said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese results provide insights into the response of birds during extreme temperatures, particularly following hot summers and long-term drought, and importantly highlight when these conditions may prove fatal.\u201d<\/p>\n The research also involved researchers from Macquarie University, The University of Western Australia, and the University of New South Wales.<\/p>\n