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Seasonal Stress Physiology And Body Condition Differ Among Co-Occurring Tropical Finch Species, Kimberly L. Maute, Kristine French, Sarah Legge, Lee Astheimer

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Seasonal changes in avian hormonal stress responses and condition are well known for common species found at temperate and arctic latitudes, but declining and tropical species are poorly studied. This study compares stress and condition measures of co-occurring declining and non-declining tropical grass finch species in Australia. We monitored declining Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and non-declining long-tailed and masked finches (Poepila acuticauda and P. personata) during two seasons that are potentially stressful: peak breeding (early dry season when food is plentiful) and moult (late dry to early wet season when food may be scarce). We measured body condition (muscle and …