Date of Award
Fall 12-2015
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Chair
Frank Moore
Committee Chair Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Member 2
Jodie Jawor
Committee Member 2 Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Member 3
David Echevarria
Committee Member 3 Department
Psychology
Abstract
This thesis examines the use of defensive strategies in relation to territories year round in the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Responses to recorded neighbor song and stranger song playback from the middle of a focal male’s territory were measured. This allowed for an estimation of aggression in both the winter and spring seasons. Each focal male was subjected to both treatments (stranger song and neighbor song). Males were more responsive over-all to neighbor song playback, however in the winter months, persistence of response to neighbor song playback increased. It was also shown that southeastern United States cardinals show year-round territory occupancy and more importantly the tendency to defend that territory during the entire year. Blood collected from a small number of birds during a neighbor STI trial shows that circulating testosterone does not significantly change from baselines or birds being challenged with a strange song playback.
Copyright
2015, Kaylee M. Gentry
Recommended Citation
Gentry, Kaylee M., "Territorial Defense Strategies in the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): Who is the Bigger Threat?" (2015). Master's Theses. 161.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/161