UP part of study that finds hummingbirds drop body temperature to near freezing point to survive cold nights

A University of Pretoria (UP) professor of zoology was part of a team that recently published a study that reveals that tiny hummingbirds living in the Andes Mountains in Peru drop their body temperature from 40°C to 3.3°C, near freezing point, to survive bitterly cold nights.

Sparkling violetear, one of six species involved in the study.

UP part of study that finds hummingbirds drop body temperature to near freezing point to survive cold nights: Hummingbirds were housed overnight in tents outfitted as make-shift aviaries.

Hummingbirds were housed overnight in tents outfitted as make-shift aviaries.

Researchers

Professor Andrew McKechnie

Professor Andrew McKechnie is a Professor of Zoology at UP and South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology at the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Prof McKechnie did his undergraduate studies at the University of Natal and has been doing research at UP since 2008.

The research that he and his team do contribute to the betterment of the world we live in because it provides a better understanding of how birds and other animals are being affected by climate change. “Climate change is probably the single greatest threat facing biodiversity at present,” he says.
Prof McKechnie cautions that the public should know the climate we currently live in differs substantially from the climate of 30 years ago, and the rate of warming is accelerating. “Climate change poses substantial risks for humans and all other species on Earth,” he adds.

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RE.SEARCH 11: Digital Worlds

The latest issue of the University of Pretoria’s award-winning RE.SEARCH magazine is available now and reflects a shift towards both a fresher design and outlook. This edition is curated under the theme ‘Digital’, and offers a glimpse into some of the fascinating research we’re doing at UP to drive digital leadership and innovation.