Contributions of endocrinology to the migration life history of birds

J. M. Cornelius, T. Boswell, S. Jenni-Eiermann, C. W. Breuner, M. Ramenofsky

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Migration is a key life cycle stage in nearly 2000 species of birds and is a greatly appreciated phenomenon in both cultural and academic arenas. Despite a long research tradition concerning many aspects of migration, investigations of hormonal contributions to migratory physiology and behavior are more limited and represent a comparatively young research field. We review advances in our understanding of the hormonal mechanisms of migration with particular emphasis on the sub-stages of the migration life history: development, departure, flight and arrival. These sub-stages vary widely in their behavioral, ecological and physiological contexts and, as such, should be given appropriate individual consideration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-60
Number of pages14
JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology
Volume190
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 5 2012

Keywords

  • Corticosterone
  • Fat
  • Hyperphagia
  • Leptin
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Zugunruhe

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