Change in corticosterone levels and corticosterone response in arriving and departing Adelie penguins at Cape Bird, Ross Island

Adelie penguins were captured at Cape Bird, Ross Island in the 2001-2002 season to measure the effects of fasting on corticosterone responses in penguins departing from the rookery compared with those arriving from the sea ice. Birds were caught on the beach and a blood sample was collected from a flipper vein. The birds were placed in a mesh bag and further blood samples collected 15 and 30 minutes after capture. Measurements of body weight and beak and flipper size were then made and the birds released. Blood samples were measured for corticosterone concentrations and corticosterone responses to handling compared between the arriving and departing birds. 115 birds were sampled.