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These warm-blooded ducks are covered
with thick feathers which insulate them from the cold. In the infrared images
shown below, you can see how areas of the ducks bodies which are not well
insulated glow the most brightly in the infrared - the eyes, beak, legs and feet.
These are places where the heat generated by their bodies can more easily escape.
All warm-blooded animals try to maintain a constant internal body temperature.
When ducks are too warm, they can radiate heat from the areas of their bodies
which are not covered with feathers. When a duck is too warm, it usually cools off
by entering water, such as a cool pond or lake.
When ducks are in a colder environment, their feathers can help keep their
body heat from escaping. Ducks also keep warm by migrating to warmer areas
during the winter.
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