The occurrence of hypothermia in nestlings of the European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Although Procellariiform nestlings develop independent endothermic thermoregulation at an early age, they may not be able to meet the high energetic costs of maintaining a constant high body temperature during prolonged periods of fasting or cold exposure. The ability to reduce body temperature and enter torpor could therefore represent an important survival strategy in the Procellariiformes. It i