Hot days are associated with short-term adrenocortical responses in a southern African arid-zone passerine bird.

Relatively little effort has been directed towards elucidating the role of physiological stress pathways in mediating avian responses to global heating. For free-ranging southern pied babblers Turdoides bicolor, daily maximum air temperatures (Tmax) between ∼35°C and ∼40°C result in reduced foraging efficiency, loss of body mass and compromised breeding success. We tested the hypothesis that very hot days are experienced as stressors by quantifying relationships between Tmax and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels in naturally-excreted droppings. On days when Tmax 38 ⁰C, however, fGCM levels increased linearly with Tmax and averaged 190.79±70.13 ng g-1 DW. The effects of Tmax on fGCM levels did not carry over to the following morning, suggesting that very hot days are experienced as acute stressors.