The impact of urban centers on American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) overwintering at high latitudes

<p>American Goldfinches (<em>Spinus tristis</em>) are partial migrants that overwinter in northern regions where winters can be extreme. To understand the role of urban development in facilitating use of a harsh climate, I conducted winter point count surveys (n = 297) at urban and rural sites across latitudes in Michigan. The following winter I trapped individuals in urban and rural settings to sample baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels. Analyses revealed no interaction of latitude and urbanization in the winter distribution of American Goldfinches. Similarly, CORT concentrations did not differ between individuals trapped in urban and rural settings. It does not appear that American Goldfinches preferentially use urban areas in winter, and urban individuals do not exhibit different CORT responses to stressors. Birds captured at sites where feeders were regularly provided did display higher baseline CORT concentrations; birds with higher CORT may be more likely to locate supplemental food.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Navis, Corrie Jean

Contributors dc:contributor

• Peter Bednekoff, PhD, Chair
• Jamie Cornelius, PhD
• Katherine Greenwald, PhD

• Avian
• Corticosterone
• Urban
• Winter
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/908

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2290