DAILY RHYTHM OF PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE BINDING ACTIVITY IN WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, ZONOTRICHIA-ALBICOLLIS

There is a bimodal daily rhythm of plasma corticosterone binding activity (CBA) in the white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, in the spring migratory condition. Low levels occurred at the beginning (0500) and at the end (2100) of a 16-hour daily photoperiod. Peak CBA occurred at 0900 and 0100, as did peak locomotor activity in this nocturnal migrant. Comparisons of CBA with total plasma corticosteroid concentrations from a previous study of the same group of birds indicate a positive correlation during most of the day but not during the early hours of darkness. The daily rhythm of locomotor activity may account for the rhythm of CBA which, in turn, may be partially responsible for the daily rhythm of plasma corticosteroid concentration. © 1978.