Seasonal Effects of Testosterone on Aggression and Vocalizations in Western Screech-Owls

Publication Date

4-2001

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

4-16-2001

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Science in Raptor Biology

Department

Biological Sciences

Supervisory Committee Chair

James R. Belthoff, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Alfred M. Dufty, Jr., Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Jim Smith, Ph.D.

Abstract

This thesis consists of three chapters describing my field investigations of the behavioral endocrinology of aggression and vocal characteristics of western screech-owls (Otus kennicottii) in southwestern Idaho. The purpose of my field research was to (1) determine testosterone's (T) role in aggressive territorial behavior, (2) detern1ine if and how T affects aggressive behavior throughout the year, (3) elucidate T's role in influencing vocal characteristics, (4) describe vocal characteristics in male and female western screech-owls, and (5) develop a statistical model to discriminate between male and female vocalizations. Information within this thesis adds to the increasing body of work concerning the role T plays in mediating the behavior of birds. Also, I describe differences in male and female vocalizations within southwestern Idaho, which provide a non-intrusive mechanism for determining sex in this population ofwestern screech-owls. This will improve the accuracy of song playback surveys, which are common for owls in the genus Otus.

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