Meeting Abstract

65.5  Saturday, Jan. 5  Stop on Red: Neophobia and corticosterone in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) COOPER, L/N*; ROSS, A/E; FOLTZ, S/L; MOORE, I/T; DAVIS , J/E; Radford University; Virginia Tech; Virginia Tech; Virginia Tech; Radford University lncooper@radford.edu

When confronted with novel stimuli, animals must evaluate both the stimulus itself as well as their surrounding environment. Particular stimulus traits play an important role in determining both rapidity and depth of investigatory behavior. Color is a feature which may prove to be relevant to many passerine birds, given its natural association with food, sexual display and potential danger. In previous studies we have found that house sparrows (Passer domesticus) exhibit caution in approaching red colored items, in addition to a sex difference, with males displaying less hesitance than females. Here we will discuss this work as well as recent studies on the development of red avoidance and its relationship to fledging. I will also discuss the findings from recent studies of the effect of color exposure on circulating corticosterone levels, and the relationship between individual corticosterone response profile and an individual’s exploratory behavior.