Date of Award

8-1978

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Zoology

First Advisor

James E. Schindler

Second Advisor

Carl W. Helm

Third Advisor

Farrell B. Brown

Abstract

Data on spring noctural activity, general weight gain, fat class, and orientation were collected on 18 immature and 22 adult White-crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys, to determine if age dependent migratory behavior was detectable in caged birds. Data indicate that there is no striking difference in the nocturnal activity, general weight gain, or fat class between adults and immatures. Orientation data suggest that age may be important in the orienting abilities of adults and immatures. Adults demonstrated a mean orientation of 9° over 51° bird nights. The immatures, however, demonstrated a mean orientation of 95° over 29 bird nights which corresponded to a horizon glow (0.0096 lumens square meter^-1) at the study site at azimuths of 90° and 105°. These observations suggest that the oriented Zugunruhe of immature White-crowned Sparrows is significantly more influenced by horizon glow than that shown by more experience adults. The importance of experience in migratory behavior is discussed.

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