Effects of Testosterone On Nest-Box Occupation and Associated Behaviours By Male European Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris)
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Abstract
In an aviary experiment carried out at the beginning of the breeding season in March and April, nest-box occupation and associated behaviours were observed in a group of 18 adult and 18 first-year male European starlings. Nine birds of each group carried a testosterone implant (T-males) and the other 9 an empty implant (C-males). When analyzed for effects of age, first year birds were significantly more active with regard to nest-box inspection and nest-building than adults. When analyzed for effects of treatment, T-males occupied more nest-boxes and visited their nest-boxes more often than C-males. Other activities like singing, nest-box inspection, nest-building and aggressive behaviour were not significantly different between T-males and C-males. We suggest that the absence of a significant effect of T on aggression may be related to the colonial nesting habits of the starling. Since T-males tended to be more active with regard to all behaviours studied testosterone may have led to a general increase in frequency and persistence of behaviour which in turn facilitated nest-box occupation.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Effects of Testosterone On Nest-Box Occupation and Associated Behaviours By Male European Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris)
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Helga Gwinner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Eberhard Gwinner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
In an aviary experiment carried out at the beginning of the breeding season in March and April, nest-box occupation and associated behaviours were observed in a group of 18 adult and 18 first-year male European starlings. Nine birds of each group carried a testosterone implant (T-males) and the other 9 an empty implant (C-males). When analyzed for effects of age, first year birds were significantly more active with regard to nest-box inspection and nest-building than adults. When analyzed for effects of treatment, T-males occupied more nest-boxes and visited their nest-boxes more often than C-males. Other activities like singing, nest-box inspection, nest-building and aggressive behaviour were not significantly different between T-males and C-males. We suggest that the absence of a significant effect of T on aggression may be related to the colonial nesting habits of the starling. Since T-males tended to be more active with regard to all behaviours studied testosterone may have led to a general increase in frequency and persistence of behaviour which in turn facilitated nest-box occupation.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 265 | 39 | 4 |
| Full Text Views | 145 | 1 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 50 | 2 | 0 |
