Corticosterone is not correlated with nest departure in snowy owl chicks (Nyctea scandiaca)

General and Comparative Endocrinology
L Michael RomeroJohn C Wingfield

Abstract

Snowy owl chicks typically depart from nests at approximately 18 days of age, but 3 weeks before taking their first flight. High concentrations of corticosterone have been implicated in behavioral changes in many species, leading us to assess corticosterone's role in chick nest departure. Corticosterone titers in free-living chicks, however, do not predict this departure event. Baseline corticosterone concentrations decrease as chicks age. By 13 days, corticosterone concentrations are 50% of concentrations in 1-day-old chicks. Baseline concentrations, however, do not differ between departed and nest-bound chicks. Furthermore, corticosterone concentrations become significantly elevated 30min after collecting the baseline sample, indicating that chicks are able to mount a corticosterone response to handling. This stress-induced rise in corticosterone also did not differ between departed and nest-bound chicks. Brood sizes varied, possibly resulting in increased stress in chicks from larger broods. Although many chicks died before reaching departure age, brood sizes at time of nest departure ranged from 1 to 10 chicks. Brood size was not correlated with age of nest departure or individual corticosterone concentrations. These data i...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 23, 2013·General and Comparative Endocrinology·J M CorneliusM Ramenofsky
Jul 12, 2011·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Julio BlasFernando Hiraldo
Aug 7, 2010·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Corinne P KozlowskiRobert E Ricklefs
Mar 13, 2010·Hormones and Behavior·R S Sprague, C W Breuner
Oct 29, 2008·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Adám Z LendvaiOlivier Chastel
Mar 4, 2008·Hormones and Behavior·Hélène Corbel, René Groscolas
Dec 25, 2007·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Hélène CorbelRené Groscolas
Mar 25, 2008·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Haruka Wada
Aug 9, 2011·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Corinne P Kozlowski, Robert E Ricklefs

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