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Corticosterone Levels During Nest Departure Of Juvenile American Kestrels, Julie Heath

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many avian behavior patterns, such as breeding, migration and territoriality, are correlated with changes in hormone levels. Elevated levels of corticosterone, an adrenal steroid hormone, are associated with increased foraging and increased activity levels in birds. Young birds about to take their first flight may benefit from elevated plasma corticosterone levels that facilitate locomotor activity and foraging behavior while they are developing flight and hunting skills. I examined the relationship between corticosterone levels and the timing of nest departure in nestling American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). American Kestrels are cavity nesters and typically depart from the nest between 25-30 …