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Project Noah Nature School
Melozone crissalis
In the hot summer they open their beaks and "pant" and they position their head into whatever breeze they are able to find allowing air to get to the wattle and combs on their head. The wattle and combs carry blood close to the surface of their skin and helps to cool the bird. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_birds_k...
Yesterday , I saw blue jay with its beak open and was trying to drink out of the hummingbird feeder. This summer has been very hot. Today I saw a Towhee with its beak open. Doesn't the mouth look parched and dry? It came near me and tweeted. Little did I know that it was probably thirsty. Tomorrow i will leave a bowl of water at that spot! pic number 3 shows an Annas hummingbird displaying similar behaviour on a hot day.
Spotted on Sep 5, 2012
Submitted on Sep 5, 2012
4 Comments
Jellis, The buff colored throat patch is almost a great field mark for the ID of a Towhee. I was really interested in showing the open beaks in the hot summer heat. I also saw several jays holding their beaks open .
Hi Xiaxuan,thanks.
California towhee
Hard to tell in the shots