Tropical birds also relax like people

Humans are not the only creatures that can live slowly in hot areas. Birds that live in the tropics also relax more and use less energy than their relatives live in cold areas.

The researchers studied the physiological properties of 69 species of birds that live in the tropical regions of Panama and measure their basic metabolic rate (BMR) (BMR is the minimum amount of energy that the body consumes when Rest, use only to maintain vital functions such as breathing and heart rate).

They compared the tropical birds' BMR with 59 temperate species, and found warm native birds using up to 18% less energy.

"Tropical birds slow down their pace of life, reflected in the amount of energy they consume in the course of life," Joseph Williams from Ohio State University, USA, said.

The team also examined BMR of birds living in the tropics for most of the year, but migrated north in the winter. This group has an intermediate index, meaning that it is more energy-intensive than live birds that live in the tropics, and less than those who live in cold countries.

Species of tropical parrots Parques des aves, Brazil.(Photo: LiveScience)

T. An