Short-term and Long-term Consequences of Predator Avoidance by Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

Glucocorticoids and parental effort in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

Longer telomeres associated with higher survival in birds.

Differences in individual quality and survival within species are a major focus in evolutionary ecology, but we know very little about the underlying physiological mechanisms that determine these differences. Telomere shortening associated with cellular senescence and ageing may be one such mechanism. To date, however, there is little evidence linking telomere length and survival. Here, we show...

Causes and Consequences of Variation in Parental Defense Behavior by Tree Swallows

In a three-year experimental study of parental defense behavior in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), I presented live ferrets and rat snakes to parents in the vicinity of 113 nests on the 13th and 14th day after chick-hatching. Sex of the defending parent and the identity of the predator being defended against were the most significant determinants of variation in the 13 aspects of parental ...

Some Observations of Sunbathing in Swallows

--Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), Violet-green Swallows (T. thalassina) and Barn Swallows (ttirundo rustica) were observed sunbathing under conditions that produced apparent hyperthermia as evidenced by gaping, posture and timing of exposure. Sunbathing was observed only on days having air temperatures above 30 C, medium to high humidities and low wind velocities. Duration of sunning behav...

Accumulation of PCB congeners in nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on the Hudson River, New York.

Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were used as a sentinel species to monitor the contamination and bioavailability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Hudson River watershed. Several tree swallow nest box colonies around and downstream from Hudson Falls, NY, were studied. Tree swallow eggs, adults, and 5-, 10-, and 15-day-old nestlings were collected and analyzed for 103 PCB congeners....