High levels of stress hormones are often correlated with poor fitness and change of survival. However, ScienceDaily reported on a recent study in which it was found that in young Swainson’s Thrushes high levels of stress may be a good thing. The research found that increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones (which are a part of a natural response to stress), correlated to movement, feeding and anti-predator behaviors in juvenile birds. Only one of three juveniles typically survive and the high level or stress hormone appears to be of greater significance than other factors such as nesting site or vegetative cover.
Read more at ScienceDaily For young birds, getting stressed out can be a good thing.
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