Changes in body mass and hormone levels between wintering and spring staging areas in dark-bellied brent geese Branta bernicla bernicla

• Published in: Journal of Avian Biology
• Main Authors: Poisbleau, M., Fritz, H., Lambrechts, M.M., Trouvé, C., Ebbinge, B.S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: aggression; annual cycle; anser-anser; challenge hypothesis; endocrine; reproduction; reserves; social inertia; testosterone; thyroid-hormone; Branta bernicla; brent geese
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/changes-in-body-mass-and-hormone-levels-between-wintering-and-spr; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0908-8857.2006.03679.x

We document seasonal changes in body mass and plasma hormone levels (testosterone and triiodothyronine) between winter and spring quarters in dark-bellied brent geese Branta bernicla bernicla. Body mass increased between winter and spring, whereas body size was the same for the birds sampled in winter and those in spring. Adults and males were larger and heavier than juveniles and females. Plasma testosterone levels did not differ significantly between winter and spring, and did not vary with sex, age and morphometry. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) levels were significantly higher in spring than in winter, and were higher for males than for females. However, T3 levels did not vary significantly with age and body measurements. To explain the findings, we discuss potential impacts of social dominance