Search

The article discusses the results of a comparative study on the effects on plasma corticosterone levels of two methods of collecting blood samples during standardized capture-and-handling protocols in nestling American Kestrels. Significantly higher corticosterone levels were found in singly bled birds after 15 and 30 minutes of being held captive, while no difference was found between the two groups at the first sampling time. The study suggests that data from multiply bled birds underestimate actual circulating hormone levels.