Are bird feet special?

[Zara]

Is there something special with the skin on some birds feet? Do they have any feeling there?
The doves come and sit on the metal railing of my balcony when I can't even touch it because it's scolding hot. I don't understand how they can just perch on it and sunbathe?
Would love to know more!

Cooler weather today (95f), but they've done it in hotter weather too, when in the 40s!!!

 

[flyzipper]

I've read that cold climate birds have limited blood circulation to their feet to minimize heat loss in their core. Perhaps that protects them from heat as well. My conure sits on top of my espresso machine and it's very warm to the touch.

Their higher body temperature probably makes the difference we feel with hot surfaces less on a relative basis.

Now I'm off to read and see if anything I speculated about is actually based on science

 

[Zara]

I had read something similar explaining why ducks are ok walking on ice... but with the temp of that railing I´m surprised it doesn´t create blisters on them! It´s as hot as a frying pan!