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Birds--General/Temperature of birds feet

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Expert: - 10/1/2006


Question
Chrys, you were so helpful the last time I wanted to use you again.  5 days ago I noticed one of my cockatiel's feet were cold. I was told this meant that her body temp is down. Is this true? I placed her in a separate cage with a heating pad under it and covered most of the cage. She was eating ok and everything else, just cold feet.  This morning when I went to get the other birds from their sleep cages (I have tiels and lovies) I noticed all their feet are cold now.  What are your thoughts?  The first tiel's feet are just a tad warmer. Thanks.  Betty

Answer
Hi, Betty.  Thanks for posting!

What a fascinating question!  I had to research the answer and the following websites had some good information:

http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Temperature_Regulation.h...

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/birdmetabolism.html

Based on the information in this article, it means your tiel is regulating her body temperature.

I wouldn't worry to much about the temperature of your tiel's feet, as there are many factors involved in why your bird's feet would either be cold or warm.  In other words, I've never known feet temperature to be an indication, good or bad, of anything as far as birds are concerned.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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