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During their lifetime, birds have three main aims : to get around, to feed themselves and to reproduce. To succeed, these warm-blooded members of the oviparous (egg-laying) species must always have energy available, in other words, expend less energy than they stockpile. But the task is not a simple one. Gathering energy, means eating. Eating means moving around. And getting around sometimes requires a lot of energy. Certain birds cover thousands of kilometres to reach a region rich in food. Reproduction equally demands large amounts of energy. It is therefore essential for them to manage their reserves.
PIn order to save energy and to manage their reserves as efficiently as possible, birds have adapted to the constraints of their environment. Emperor Penguins, for example, huddle together in compact groups – ‘turtle formation’ - and fast for almost 4 months, to give their chicks the best chance of survival. As for the Great Cormorants, their very special plumage allows them to fish in extremely cold waters. Let’s have a look in more detail.
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