Meeting Abstract

5.5  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Physiological and behavioral responses of European starlings to a rapid, mild change in temperature. DE BRUIJN, R*; BOEKE, E; ROMERO, L.M.; Tufts University, Medford; Tufts University, Medford; Tufts University, Medford robert.debruijn@tufts.edu

Free-ranging animals continuously adjust to changes in their environment. The stress response, typified by increases in heart rate and corticosterone, is an important physiological response regulating these changes. This study investigated heart rate, corticosterone and behavioral responses of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) to a rapid 30 min decrease in temperature. Fourteen birds, of which ten were implanted with heart rate monitors, were divided into pairs. During an alternative run of the experiment blood samples were collected before and after the treatments for corticosterone measurements. For each run the birds were exposed to an air conditioning unit producing 11 °C air. This led to a rapid drop in air temperature in birdcages of 4 °C from a room temperature of 20 °C. Three controls consisted of undisturbed birds, exposing birds to only the noise of the air conditioning unit and exposing the birds to 20 °C airflow. Cold exposure, but none of the control conditions, induced an increase in heart rate and corticosterone. Additionally cold exposure led to an increase in perch hopping and feather ruffling behavior. We conclude that minor changes in temperature can elicit a stress response in European starlings, which suggests that this may be an important mechanism by which animals cope with minor rapid environmental changes. (Funded by NSF).