Great Blue Heron cooling down

[joelbolden]

When Great Blue Herons, and other birds, get too warm they remove heat by rapidly vibrating the gular tissues in their throats. This is known as Gular Fluttering. You can see in the pics it's distended throat, open beak and vibrating tongue.

 

[Jeff15]

Very good set.....

 

[jeffashman]

Nice set!

 

[K9Kirk]

Nice set and thanks for the info, I didn't know that's why they did that.

 

[nokk]

i've seen them do this before, but never knew why. interesting. great shots, too.

 

[Winona]

Excellent photos!

 

[Photo Lady]

beautiful... my chickens and turkeys are panting in this heat...

 

[PJM]

Great set of photos. And informative.

 

[RVT1K]

Very nice!

It's so hot here the squirrels are laying flat on their bellies on the grass in the shade.