Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Are roads and traffic sources of physiological stress for the Florida scrub-jay?

Gina M. Morgan A B D , Travis E. Wilcoxen A C , Michelle A. Rensel A and Stephan J. Schoech A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, 3774 Walker Avenue, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.

B NorthShore University Health System, 1001 University Place, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.

C Biology Department, Millikin University, 1184 West Main Street, Decatur, IL 62522, USA.

D Corresponding author. Email: ginammorgan@gmail.com

Wildlife Research 39(4) 301-310 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR11029
Submitted: 10 February 2011  Accepted: 3 February 2012   Published: 8 May 2012

Abstract

Context: Anthropogenic disturbances induce physiological and behavioural responses in numerous species. The negative effects of human disturbance are of special concern to threatened and endangered species.

Aims: The present study aims to compare physiological stress measures and reproductive success of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) living near roads with jays that live away from roads. Specifically, it aims to test whether roads are stressful.

Methods: We assessed physiological measures that can serve as indicators of ‘stress’ to determine whether a highway that bisects our study site had physiological effects on adult male Florida scrub-jays. We captured male breeders from three territory types, including scrub habitat that (1) bordered a highway with a grassy shoulder that created an ‘edge’ habitat (roadside), (2) bordered human-maintained habitat (a plowed firebreak of sand with adjacent pasture) that served as a control for the edge-effect of the road (pasture) and (3) contained only natural scrub habitat (interior). We measured baseline concentrations of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), body mass, and a suite of longitudinal body measures to generate a body condition index in males from each territory type over three breeding seasons.

Key results: Roadside jays had greater body mass than did interior and pasture jays, although there were no differences in overall baseline CORT concentrations or body condition among territory classes. There was no difference in clutch initiation date or size and nestling and independent-young survival.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the road through our study site has physiological effects on Florida scrub-jays; however, there is mixed evidence as to whether it acts as a chronic stressor.

Implications: Our findings provide evidence that roads and road-associated disturbance has neutral or potentially beneficial physiological effects of roads on Florida scrub-jays. Knowledge of these effects of roads and disturbance on jays will hopefully provide additional opportunities to improve conservation of this species.

Additional keywords: anthropogenic disturbance, corticosterone, condition.


References

Ardia, D. R. (2005). Super size me: an experimental test of the factors affecting lipid content and the ability of residual body mass to predict lipid stores in nestling European starlings. Functional Ecology 19, 414–420.
Super size me: an experimental test of the factors affecting lipid content and the ability of residual body mass to predict lipid stores in nestling European starlings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Beale, C. M., and Monaghan, P. (2004). Human disturbance: people as predation-free predators? Journal of Applied Ecology 41, 335–343.
Human disturbance: people as predation-free predators?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bee, M. A., and Swanson, E. M. (2007). Auditory masking of anuran advertisement calls by road traffic noise. Animal Behaviour 74, 1765–1776.
Auditory masking of anuran advertisement calls by road traffic noise.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Blake, D., Hutson, A. M., Racey, P. A., Rydell, J., and Speakman, J. R. (1994). Use of lamplit roads by foraging bats in southern England. Journal of Ecology 234, 453–462.

Bolker, B. M., Brooks, M. E., Clark, C. J., Geange, S. W., Poulsen, J. R., Stevens,, M. H. H, and White, J. S. S. (2009). Generalized linear mixed models: a practical guide for ecology and evolution. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24, 127–135.
Generalized linear mixed models: a practical guide for ecology and evolution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Breininger, D. R. (1981). Habitat preferences of the Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. M.Sc. Thesis, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL.

Clinchy, M., Zanette, L., Boonstra, R., Wingfield, J. C., and Smith, J. N. M. (2004). Balancing food and predator pressure induces chronic stress in songbirds. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 271, 2473–2479.
Balancing food and predator pressure induces chronic stress in songbirds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Crawley, M. J. (2005). ‘Statistics: an Introduction Using R.’ (Wiley: West Sussex, UK.)

Crino, O. L., Van Oorschot, B., Johnson, E. E., Malisch, J. L., and Breuner, C. W. (2011). Proximity to a high traffic road: glucocorticoid and life history consequences for nestling white-crowned sparrows. General and Comparative Endocrinology 173, 323–332.
Proximity to a high traffic road: glucocorticoid and life history consequences for nestling white-crowned sparrows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpvFSmsbw%3D&md5=384b00b1418848cc8e67439011a5e156CAS |

Dallman, M. F., and Bhatnagar, S. (2001). Chronic stress and energy balance: role of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis. In ‘Handbook of Physiology; Section 7: The Endocrine System; Volume IV: Coping with the Environment: Neural and Endocrine Mechanisms’. (Eds B. S. McEwen and H. M. Goodman.) pp. 179–210. (Oxford University Press: New York.)

Davison, M. A. (2006). Life in an altered landscape: reproductive success and energetic intake of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in regenerating pasture. M.Sc. Thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Donázar, J. A., Ceballos, O., Travaini, A., and Hiraldo, F. (1993). Roadside raptor surveys in the Argentinean Patagonia. The Journal of Raptor Research 27, 106–110.

Forman, R. T. T., Reineking, B., and Hersperger, A. M. (2002). Road traffic and nearby grassland bird patterns in a suburbanizing landscape. Environmental Management 29, 782–800.
Road traffic and nearby grassland bird patterns in a suburbanizing landscape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fowler, G. S. (1999). Behavioral and hormonal responses of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) to tourism and nest site visitation. Biological Conservation 90, 143–149.
Behavioral and hormonal responses of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) to tourism and nest site visitation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Frid, A., and Dill, L. M. (2002). Human-caused disturbance stimuli as a form of predation risk. Ecology and Society 6, 11–26.

Gendreau, Y., Côtè, S. D., and Festa-Bianchet, M. (2005). Maternal effects on post-weaning physical and social development in juvenile mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 58, 237–246.
Maternal effects on post-weaning physical and social development in juvenile mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Green, A. J. (2001). Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generators of spurious results? Ecology 82, 1473–1483.
Mass/length residuals: measures of body condition or generators of spurious results?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Haug, E. (1985). Merlin feeding on road kills. The Journal of Raptor Research 19, 103.

Haxton, T. (2000). Road mortality of snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina, in central Ontario during their nesting period. Canadian Field Naturalist 114, 106–110.

Hayden, T. J., Butler, L., Romero, L. M., Bisson, I., Wikelski, M., Barron, D., and Kelley, P. (2009). ‘Physiological Response and Habituation of Endangered Species to Military Training Activities. SERDP Project SI-1396.’ Department of Defence Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program. (Strategic Environmental Research Development Program: Arlington, VA).

Highlands County Impact Fee Review Committee (2010). ‘Highlands County Impact Fee Study: Executive Summary and Transportation.’ (Sebring: FL).

Hopkins, W. A., and DuRant, S. E. (2011). Innate immunity and stress physiology of eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) from two stream reaches with differing habitat quality. General and Comparative Endocrinology 174, 107–115.
Innate immunity and stress physiology of eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) from two stream reaches with differing habitat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtlejt7bN&md5=9c72c47086033828d219a4a908889f1dCAS |

Hsieh, W.-P., Chu, T.-M., Wolfinger, R. D., and Gibson, G. (2003). Mixed-model reanalysis of primate data suggests tissue and species biases in oligonucleotide-based gene expression profiles. Genetics 165, 747–757.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpt1Ols7Y%3D&md5=5f319170a4fa584e3fce88bd2dd5b4bcCAS |

Ingelfinger, F., and Anderson, S. (2004). Passerine response to roads associated with natural gas extraction in a sagebrush steppe habitat. Western North American Naturalist 64, 385–395.

Johnson, W. C., and Collinge, S. K. (2004). Landscape effects on black-tailed prairie dog colonies. Biological Conservation 115, 487–497.
Landscape effects on black-tailed prairie dog colonies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Keller, I., and Largiadèr, C. R. (2003). Recent habitat fragmentation caused by major roads leads to reduction of gene flow and loss of genetic variability in ground beetles. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 270, 417–423.
Recent habitat fragmentation caused by major roads leads to reduction of gene flow and loss of genetic variability in ground beetles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXktVWiu7o%3D&md5=0c4479fa6ef6561d313e7df3bf625e6fCAS |

Kerley, L. L., Goodrich, J. M., Miquelle, D. G., Smirnov, E. N., Quigley, H. B., and Hornocker, M. G. (2002). Effects of roads and human disturbance on Amur tigers. Conservation Biology 16, 97–108.
Effects of roads and human disturbance on Amur tigers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kitaysky, A. S., Kitaiskaia, E. V., Wingfield, J. C., and Piatt, J. F. (2001). Dietary restriction causes chronic elevation of corticosterone and enhances stress-response in red-legged kittiwake chicks. Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 171, 701–709.
Dietary restriction causes chronic elevation of corticosterone and enhances stress-response in red-legged kittiwake chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xks1entA%3D%3D&md5=eaad1998d8ec2d3e86e45d3191555858CAS |

Kitaysky, A. S., Kitaiskaia, E. V., Piatt, J. F., and Wingfield, J. C. (2003). Benefits and costs of increased levels of corticosterone in seabird chicks. Hormones and Behavior 43, 140–149.
Benefits and costs of increased levels of corticosterone in seabird chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhsVCgtLc%3D&md5=bbd1615033eb003130a719f2828a249cCAS |

Knight, R. L., and Kawashima, J. Y. (1993). Responses of raven and red-tailed hawk populations to linear right-of-ways. The Journal of Wildlife Management 57, 266–271.
Responses of raven and red-tailed hawk populations to linear right-of-ways.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lambertucci, S. A., Speziale, K. L., Rogers, T. E., and Morales, J. M. (2009). How do roads affect the habitat use of an assemblage of scavenging raptors? Biodiversity and Conservation 18, 2063–2074.
How do roads affect the habitat use of an assemblage of scavenging raptors?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lucas, J. R., Freeberg, T. M., Egbert, J., and Schwabl, H. (2006). Fecal corticosterone, body mass, and caching rates of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolensis) from disturbed and undisturbed sites. Hormones and Behavior 49, 634–643.
Fecal corticosterone, body mass, and caching rates of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolensis) from disturbed and undisturbed sites.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XksVCqurs%3D&md5=d11665d2281c598fa853b44253be36dfCAS |

McEwen, B. S., and Wingfield, J. C. (2003). The concept of allostasis in biology and biomedicine. Hormones and Behavior 43, 2–15.
The concept of allostasis in biology and biomedicine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Meunier, D. F., Verheyden, C., and Jouventin, P. (2000). Use of roadsides by diurnal raptors in agricultural landscapes. Biological Conservation 92, 291–298.
Use of roadsides by diurnal raptors in agricultural landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Morgan, G. M., Boughton, R. K., Rensel, M. A., and Schoech, S. J. (2010). Road effects on food availability and energetic intake in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The Auk 127, 581–589.
Road effects on food availability and energetic intake in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Müllner, A., Linsenmair, K. E., and Wikelski, M. (2004). Exposure to ecotourism reduces survival and affects stress response in hoatzin chicks (Opisthocomus hoazin). Biological Conservation 118, 549–558.
Exposure to ecotourism reduces survival and affects stress response in hoatzin chicks (Opisthocomus hoazin).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mumme, R. L., Schoech, S. J., Woolfenden, G. E., and Fitzpatrick, J. W. (2000). Life and death in the fast lane: demographic consequences of road mortality in the Florida scrub-jay. Conservation Biology 14, 501–512.
Life and death in the fast lane: demographic consequences of road mortality in the Florida scrub-jay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nelson, R. J. (Ed.) (2005). ‘An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology.’ (Sinauer Associates, Inc.: Sunderland, MA.)

Partecke, J., Schwabl, I., and Gwinner, E. (2006). Stress and the city: urbanization and its effects on the stress physiology in European blackbirds. Ecology 87, 1945–1952.
Stress and the city: urbanization and its effects on the stress physiology in European blackbirds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pravosudov, V. V., and Kitaysky, A. S. (2006). Effects of nutritional restrictions during post-hatching development on adrenocortical function in western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica). General and Comparative Endocrinology 145, 25–31.
Effects of nutritional restrictions during post-hatching development on adrenocortical function in western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXht12kurnN&md5=a0deb539eeab79655996dd4aba6e54b9CAS |

Quinn, J. S., Woolfenden, G. E., Fitzpatrick, J. W., and White, B. N. (1999). Multi-locus DNA fingerprinting supports genetic monogamy in Florida scrub-jays. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 45, 1–10.
Multi-locus DNA fingerprinting supports genetic monogamy in Florida scrub-jays.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reijnen, R., and Foppen, R. (1995). The effects of car traffic on breeding bird populations in woodland. IV. Influence of population size on the reduction of density close to a highway. Journal of Applied Ecology 32, 481–491.
The effects of car traffic on breeding bird populations in woodland. IV. Influence of population size on the reduction of density close to a highway.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reijnen, R., Foppen, R., and Meeuwsen, H. (1996). The effects of traffic on the density of breeding birds in Dutch agricultural grasslands. Biological Conservation 75, 255–260.
The effects of traffic on the density of breeding birds in Dutch agricultural grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rensel, M. A., and Schoech, S. J. (2010). Road disturbance and its impact on stress physiology and growth in young Florida scrub-jays. Integrative and Comparative Biology 50, E146.

Rensel, M. A., Wilcoxen, T. E., and Schoech, S. J. (2010). The influence of nest attendance and provisioning on nestling stress physiology in the Florida scrub-jay. Hormones and Behavior 57, 162–168.
The influence of nest attendance and provisioning on nestling stress physiology in the Florida scrub-jay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlantbY%3D&md5=52c61c7a276be1e05def46f7aa6251fdCAS |

Reynolds, S. J., Schoech, S. J., and Bowman, R. (2003). Diet quality during pre-laying and nestling periods influences growth and survival of Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) chicks. Journal of Zoology 261, 217–226.

Rich, E. L., and Romero, L. M. (2005). Exposure to chronic stress downregulates corticosterone responses to acute stressors. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 288, R1628–R1636.
Exposure to chronic stress downregulates corticosterone responses to acute stressors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXlsVyms7g%3D&md5=3b49ccf88cb35cff16266fa53eb4a774CAS |

Riley, S. P. D., Pollinger, J. P., Sauvajot, R. M., York, E. C., Bromley, C., Fuller, T. K., and Wayne, R. K. (2006). A southern California freeway is a physical and social barrier to gene flow in carnivores. Molecular Ecology 15, 1733–1741.
A southern California freeway is a physical and social barrier to gene flow in carnivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtlGrs7w%3D&md5=928300810e9a17bdd71afa191dbd81bfCAS |

Romero, L. M. (2004). Physiological stress in ecology: lessons from biomedical research. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 19, 249–255.
Physiological stress in ecology: lessons from biomedical research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Romero, L. M., and Romero, R. C. (2002). Corticosterone responses in wild birds: the importance of rapid initial sampling. The Condor 104, 129–135.
Corticosterone responses in wild birds: the importance of rapid initial sampling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Romero, L. M., and Wikelski, M. (2002). Exposure to tourism reduces stress-induced corticosterone levels in Galápagos marine iguanas. Biological Conservation 108, 371–374.
Exposure to tourism reduces stress-induced corticosterone levels in Galápagos marine iguanas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Romero, L. M., Dickens, M. J., and Cyr, N. (2009). The reactive scope model – A new model integrating homeostasis, allostasis, and stress. Hormones and Behavior 55, 375–389.
The reactive scope model – A new model integrating homeostasis, allostasis, and stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rosen, P. C., and Lowe, C. H. (1994). Highway mortality of snakes in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. Biological Conservation 68, 143–148.
Highway mortality of snakes in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sapolsky, R. M. (1992). Neuroendocrinology of the stress-response. In ‘Behavioral Endocrinology’. (Eds J. B. Becker, S. M. Breedlove and D. Crews.) pp. 287–324. (MIT Press: Cambridge, MA.)

Sapolsky, R. M., Romero, L. M., and Munck, A. U. (2000). How do glucocorticoids influence stress responses? Integrating permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative actions. Endocrine Reviews 21, 55–89.
How do glucocorticoids influence stress responses? Integrating permissive, suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative actions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhs12hu78%3D&md5=5374d49bd368843ebf89c240ee1dce49CAS |

Scheuerlein, A., Van’t Hof, T., and Gwinner, E. (2001). Predators as stressors? Physiological and reproductive consequences of predation risk in tropical stonechats (Saxicola torquata axillaris). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 268, 1575–1582.
Predators as stressors? Physiological and reproductive consequences of predation risk in tropical stonechats (Saxicola torquata axillaris).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MvktFyntg%3D%3D&md5=fb5f655a2d1f17a955fdd3f5ca541e96CAS |

Schoech, S. J. (1996). The effect of supplemental food on body condition and the timing of reproduction in a cooperative breeder, the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The Condor 98, 234–244.
The effect of supplemental food on body condition and the timing of reproduction in a cooperative breeder, the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schoech, S. J. (2009). Food supplementation experiments: a tool to reveal mechanisms that mediate timing of reproduction. Integrative and Comparative Biology 49, 480–492.
Food supplementation experiments: a tool to reveal mechanisms that mediate timing of reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtlGhsLbK&md5=5197f5f1373d344db005329f8dfcc171CAS |

Schoech, S. J., Mumme, R. L., and Moore, M. C. (1991). Reproductive endocrinology and mechanisms of breeding inhibition in cooperatively breeding Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma c. coerulescens). The Condor 93, 354–364.
Reproductive endocrinology and mechanisms of breeding inhibition in cooperatively breeding Florida scrub jays (Aphelocoma c. coerulescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schoech, S. J., Mumme, R. L., and Wingfield, J. C. (1996). Delayed breeding in the cooperatively breeding Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens): inhibition or the absence of stimulation? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 39, 77–90.
Delayed breeding in the cooperatively breeding Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens): inhibition or the absence of stimulation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schoech, S. J., Mumme, R. L., and Wingfield, J. C. (1997). Breeding status, corticosterone, and body mass in the cooperatively breeding Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). Physiological Zoology 70, 68–73.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhs1Olt78%3D&md5=1e03fd8f7865cc21f065a13ef6001abfCAS |

Schoech, S. J., Ketterson, E. D., and Nolan, V. (1999). Exogenous testosterone and the adrenocortical response in the dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis. The Auk 116, 64–72.

Schoech, S. J., Bowman, R., and Reynolds, S. J. (2004). Food supplementation and possible mechanisms underlying early breeding in the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). Hormones and Behavior 46, 565–573.
Food supplementation and possible mechanisms underlying early breeding in the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXpsl2hs7o%3D&md5=f214a1e6eb0a83af44635381d4083485CAS |

Schoech, S. J., Bowman, R., Bridge, E. S., and Boughton, R. K. (2007a). Baseline and acute levels of corticosterone in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens): effects of food supplementation, suburban habitat, and year. General and Comparative Endocrinology 154, 150–160.
Baseline and acute levels of corticosterone in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens): effects of food supplementation, suburban habitat, and year.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVWiu7jK&md5=1b74e0ec0716015a49579f137e3dc5e3CAS |

Schoech, S. J., Bowman, R., Bridge, E. S., Morgan, G. M., Rensel, M. A., Wilcoxen, T. E., and Boughton, R. K. (2007b). Corticosterone administration does not affect timing of breeding in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). Hormones and Behavior 52, 191–196.
Corticosterone administration does not affect timing of breeding in Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXotlSltr0%3D&md5=9e6ccfe4ee9a43f070103f891fbcf4f3CAS |

Schoech, S. J., Bridge, E. S., Boughton, R. K., Reynolds, S. J., Atwell, J. W., and Bowman, R. (2008). Food supplementation: a tool to increase reproductive output? A case study in the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay. Biological Conservation 141, 162–173.
Food supplementation: a tool to increase reproductive output? A case study in the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schoech, S. J., Rensel, M. A., Bridge, E. S., Boughton, R. K., and Wilcoxen, T. E. (2009). Environment, glucocorticoids, and the timing of reproduction. General and Comparative Endocrinology 163, 201–207.
Environment, glucocorticoids, and the timing of reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXosV2itb8%3D&md5=9a81804d18520a62122442a994a7c580CAS |

Shawkey, M. D., Bowman, R., and Woolfenden, G. E. (2004). Why is brood reduction in Florida scrub-jays higher in suburban than in wildland habitats? Canadian Journal of Zoology 82, 1427–1435.

Silverin, B. (1998). Stress responses in birds. Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews 9, 153–168.

Slabbekoorn, H., and Ripmeester, E. A. P. (2008). Birdsong and anthropogenic noise: implications and applications for conservation. Molecular Ecology 17, 72–83.
Birdsong and anthropogenic noise: implications and applications for conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Steen, D. A., Smith, L. L., Conner, L. M., Brock, J. C., and Hoss, S. K. (2007). Habitat use of sympatric rattlesnake species within the Gulf Coastal Plain. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71, 759–764.
Habitat use of sympatric rattlesnake species within the Gulf Coastal Plain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Strasser, E.H. (2010). Reproductive failure and the stress response in American kestrels nesting along a human disturbance gradient. M.Sc. thesis, Boise State University, Boise, ID.

Strasser, E. H., and Heath, J. (2011). Effects of developmental conditions on nestling American kestrel (Falco sparverius) corticosterone concentrations. General and Comparative Endocrinology 173, 164–170.
Effects of developmental conditions on nestling American kestrel (Falco sparverius) corticosterone concentrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXosFWksrg%3D&md5=073d79a37a9bb8dcb93a8e3d494855cbCAS |

Tempel, D. J., and Gutierrez, R. J. (2003). Fecal corticosterone levels in California spotted owls exposed to low-intensity chainsaw sound. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, 698–702.

van der Zande, A. N., Ter Keurs, W. J., and Van der Weijden, W. J. (1980). The impact of roads on the densities of four bird species in an open field habitat: evidence of a long-distance effect. Biological Conservation 18, 299–321.
The impact of roads on the densities of four bird species in an open field habitat: evidence of a long-distance effect.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Walker, B. G., Boersma, P. D., and Wingfield, J. C. (2005). Physiological and behavioral differences in Magellanic penguin chicks in undisturbed and tourist-visited locations of a colony. Conservation Biology 19, 1571–1577.
Physiological and behavioral differences in Magellanic penguin chicks in undisturbed and tourist-visited locations of a colony.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wasser, S. K., Bevis, K., King, G., and Hanson, E. (1997). Noninvasive physiological measures of disturbance in the northern spotted owl. Conservation Biology 11, 1019–1022.
Noninvasive physiological measures of disturbance in the northern spotted owl.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilcoxen, T. E., Boughton, R. K., and Schoech, S. J. (2010). Older can be better: physiological costs of paternal investment in the Florida scrub-jay. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 64, 1527–1535.
Older can be better: physiological costs of paternal investment in the Florida scrub-jay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wingfield, J. C. (1984). Environmental and endocrine control of reproduction in the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia. I. Temporal organization of the breeding cycle. General and Comparative Endocrinology 56, 406–416.
Environmental and endocrine control of reproduction in the song sparrow, Melospiza melodia. I. Temporal organization of the breeding cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXmt1OhurY%3D&md5=34c53ad05a5d0398f508aedc06b0c70bCAS |

Wingfield, J. C., and Kitaysky, A. S. (2002). Endocrine responses to unpredictable environmental events: stress or anti-stress hormones? Integrative and Comparative Biology 42, 600–609.
Endocrine responses to unpredictable environmental events: stress or anti-stress hormones?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhsFyhsb0%3D&md5=80d011456dcef1beba5ccb8f9b5ff2faCAS |

Wingfield, J. C., Vleck, C. M., and Moore, M. C. (1992). Seasonal changes in the adrenocortical response to stress in birds of the Sonoran Desert. The Journal of Experimental Zoology 264, 419–428.
Seasonal changes in the adrenocortical response to stress in birds of the Sonoran Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXnslGhuw%3D%3D&md5=342baf4476723621e17738e692ac4fd2CAS |

Wingfield, J. C., Breuner, C., and Jacobs, J. (1997). Corticosterone and behavioral responses to unpredictable events. In ‘Perspectives in Avian Endocrinology’. (Eds S. Harvey and R. J. Etches.) pp. 267–278. (Journal Endocrinology Ltd.: Bristol, UK.)

Wingfield, J. C., Maney, D. L., Breuner, C. W., Jacobs, J. D., Lynn, S., Ramenofsky, M. R., and Richardson, R. D. (1998). Ecological bases of hormone-behavior interactions: the ‘Emergency life history stage’. American Zoologist 38, 191–206.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXislCjtbc%3D&md5=7ce2fe1ea0ecb5f2431bd8653342aeddCAS |

Woolfenden, G. E. (1973). Nesting and survival in a population of Florida scrub jays. Living Bird 12, 25–49.

Woolfenden, G. E., and Fitzpatrick, J. W. (Eds) (1984). ‘The Florida Scrub-jay: Demography of a Cooperative-breeding Bird.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.)

Woolfenden, G. E., and Fitzpatrick, J. W. (1990). Florida scrub jays: a synopsis after 18 years of study. In ‘Cooperative Breeding in Birds: Long-term Studies of Ecology and Behavior’. (Eds P. B. Stacey and W. D. Koenig.) pp. 240–266. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)