Meeting Abstract

P2.19  Sunday, Jan. 5 15:30  Physiological response of molting songbirds to a labile perturbation factor: Hurricane Irene BUTLER, L.K.*; DE BRUIJN, R.; ROMERO, L.M.; The College of New Jersey, Ewing; Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts; Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts lbutler@tcnj.edu

Hurricanes are predicted to increase in frequency over the next century at northern latitudes. For most northern songbirds, hurricane season overlaps the molting season. Juvenile birds may be particularly susceptible to hurricane conditions because the first juvenile plumage is lower quality than later plumages, juveniles are less experienced at foraging and seeking shelter than adults, and juveniles have low social status. We compared several measures of the stress physiology of molting juvenile Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) before and after a hurricane along the Atlantic Coast of North America. The hurricane appeared to have a physiological cost, because hematocrit (percent packed-cell volume) and fat stores were significantly lower the day after the hurricane compared to before the hurricane. Baseline and stress-induced corticosterone concentrations, and body mass, were similar before and after the hurricane. Birds with a less-complete new plumage were significantly less likely to be caught after the hurricane, suggesting the possibility of a molt-dependent effect of hurricane weather on survival or behavior. Together these results suggest that increased frequency of hurricanes may reduce recruitment of songbirds along the northern Atlantic Coast.