Virginia: Field Sites: Research: Ketterson Lab: Indiana University Bloomington

Mt lake through trees MLBS Lewis Hall

The Mountain Lake Biological Station in southwestern Virginia has a long association with the Ketterson Lab. Since 1983, Ketterson lab members have been studying the population of slate-colored juncos (Junco hyemalis carolinensis) that breed in the high-elevation Appalachian forest at and around the station. Over the years, we've accumulated information on over 14,000 individually-marked juncos and more than 3,000 nesting attempts.

A male and female Dark-eyed Junco. Photo: Dawn O'Neale

Most of our research on the effects of testosterone on phenotype has occured at Mountain Lake. We have extensive data on the ways in which natural variation in testosterone levels as well as exogenous testosterone affect the physiology and behavior of both male and female juncos, giving us a baseline to which we can compare other junco populations. Other non-testosterone-focused research projects at Mountain Lake over the years have included studying parental behavior, aggression, extra-pair behavior, sexual selection, demography, predation, and song, among others.

Virginia

Junco Crew Over the Years