Avian phenotypic transitions; acting constraints, mechanisms and consequences

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The long-term objectives of this program are to decipher the mechanisms that limit phenotypic flexibility in birds facing high energy demands and to determine the consequences of these limits on fitness. Over the next five years, we will focus on phenotypic transitions associated with wintering in cold climates, migration and reproduction. These life-history stages involve energy demands among the highest known in vertebrates and, in birds, are considered energy bottlenecks affecting body composition and physiological condition. More precisely, we will (1) determine the rate and amplitude of metabolic flexibility in response to rapid changes in ambient temperature and measure the physiological consequences of phenotypes mismatched to temperature variations This first project will be conducted at the UQAR avian facility by exposing three models species (black-capped chickadees,