Developmental Toxicity of PCB 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl) in Nestling American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Toxicity ◽  
Falco Sparverius ◽  
American Kestrels ◽  
Pcb 126

scholarly journals Developmental Toxicity of PCB 126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl) in Nestling American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID J. HOFFMAN ◽  
MARK J. MELANCON ◽  
PATRICE N. KLEIN ◽  
CLIFFORD P. RICE ◽  
JOHN D. EISEMANN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Toxicity ◽  
Falco Sparverius ◽  
American Kestrels ◽  
Pcb 126

Reproductive changes in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) in relation to exposure to technical hexabromocyclododecane flame retardant

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 2570-2575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim J. Fernie ◽  
Sarah C. Marteinson ◽  
David M. Bird ◽  
Ian J. Ritchie ◽  
Robert J. Letcher
Keyword(s):  
Flame Retardant ◽  
Falco Sparverius ◽  
American Kestrels

The influence of Trichinella pseudospiralis infection on the behaviour of captive, nonbreeding American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1685-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michèle D. Saumier ◽  
Manfred E. Rau ◽  
David M. Bird
Keyword(s):  
Falco Sparverius ◽  
Competitive Fitness ◽  
American Kestrel ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
Trichinella Pseudospiralis ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
American Kestrels ◽  
Muscle Larvae ◽  
Adult Phase ◽  
Muscle Groups

Trichinella pseudospiralis infections induced mild behavioural changes in the American kestrel host (Falco sparverius) within the first 5 days postinoculation, a period that corresponds to the adult phase of the infection. However, more severe effects on mobility were precipitated as the larvae migrated and became established in the musculature. The debilitation persisted for at least 5 weeks postinoculation and involved a reduction in exercising, flying, elevated perching, and preening, and was accompanied by an increase in the frequency of walking and floor perching. Such behavioural effects, attributable to the presence of muscle larvae, may reduce the competitive fitness of infected individuals. The muscle larvae were randomly distributed among various muscle groups.

Possible Functions of Tail-Pumping by American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Suich ◽  
Gary Ritchison
Keyword(s):  
Original Position ◽  
Falco Sparverius ◽  
Rapid Movement ◽  
Madison County ◽  
American Kestrels

When perched, several species of small falcons, including American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), often pump their tails, but the possible function of this behaviour is unknown. Our objective was to use observations and experiments to examine the possible function(s) of tail-pumping by American Kestrels. Fieldwork was conducted from March 2015 to December 2015 at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, Kentucky. During observations of focal kestrels, we noted their behaviour (e.g. landing on a perch, hunting, or consuming prey), including when and how often they pumped their tails (i.e. rapid movement of the tail down, then back up to its original position). Kestrels typically tail-pumped when landing on a perch (mean = 4.1±0.2 pumps per 10 s) and consuming prey (mean = 2.4±0.2 pumps per 10 s). When hunting, kestrels tail-pumped at higher rates during the 30 s prior to attacking (mean = 1.1±0.3 pumps) than they did during the 30–60 s interval before an attack (mean = 0.3±0.1 pumps). During experiments where kestrels were presented with models of a conspecific and a predator (Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi), we found no difference in rates of tail-pumping prior to and during the presentation. These results suggest that tail-pumping by American Kestrels is not used either to communicate with conspecifics or as a predator-deterrent signal. Rather, kestrels appear to tail-pump to help maintain balance on perches when landing and consuming prey. In addition, prior to attacking prey, kestrels typically bob their heads (possibly to aid in judging distances), and tail-pumping may help them maintain stability as they head-bob and prepare to attack.

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