Patterns of Testosterone In Three Nearctic-Neotropical Migratory Songbirds During Spring Passage
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2015
Department
Biological Sciences
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
Preparation for breeding may overlap extensively with vernal migration in long-distance migratory songbirds. Testosterone plays a central role in mediating this transition into breeding condition by facilitating changes to physiology and behavior. While changes in testosterone levels are well studied in captive migrants, these changes are less well known in free-living birds. We examined testosterone levels in free-living Nearctic-Neotropical migrants of three species during their vernal migration. Testosterone levels increased during the migratory period in males of all three species but significantly so in only two. Testosterone levels in females remained the same throughout their migration. Our results support the extensive overlap between vernal migration and breeding preparation in male songbirds. The pattern of testosterone changes during vernal migration is far from clear in females.
Publication Title
General and Comparative Endocrinology
Volume
224
First Page
186
Last Page
193
Recommended Citation
Covino, K.,
Morris, S.,
Moore, F. R.
(2015). Patterns of Testosterone In Three Nearctic-Neotropical Migratory Songbirds During Spring Passage. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 224, 186-193.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/19750