Bird Hormones and Bird Migrations: Analyzing Hormones in Droppings and Egg Yolks and Assessing Adaptations in Long-Distance Migration

The analysis of hormones in feces or excrement presented in the first part of this volume is a relatively new noninvasive method for gaining insight into an animal’s physiology. Endocrinological cycles of free-living animals can be studied without the stress caused by capture. Hence, this noninvasive technique may be helpful in a wide range of research fields relating to physiology, behavioral ecology, ethnology, and wildlife conservation. The reports presented in the second part of the volume expand the general understanding of migration over long distances. Three key issues in the search for adaptive syndromes are addressed: acquisition and use of endogenous resources, circadian rhythms, and adaptations in metabolism. The papers included in this volume will provide access to techniques and methods that will result in more reliable studies and more useful data. The results of these two meetings are timely and important because environments are rapidly changing and we need the means to study the impact of these changes on the physiology of animals who are responding to these changes. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member.