Ivan Maggini

My main research interest lies in the physiological and endocrine management of bird migration. My present research will focus on the mechanisms governing the energy balance optimization of spring migrant passerines at a stopover site in the Mediterranean following a long sea crossing. In order to optimize energy storage during stopover birds need to minimize energy loss during the night, when not actively feeding, which can be achieved by reducing metabolic rates through lowering body temperature. Recent studies have noted a relationship between the hormone melatonin and temperature regulation in mammals, and it is also known that high levels of melatonin are linked to reduced migratory activity in birds. However, no direct relationship has been shown to exist between melatonin levels and migratory restlessness, thus melatonin might rather be linked to body temperature regulation, and thus to energy balance, than to migratory restlessness. To test this hypothesis, during spring 2012 I will measure body temperature and melatonin levels of migrant passerines on the island of Ponza, central Italy, and, in addition I will supplement some birds with melatonin to monitor their response in terms of body temperature and nocturnal restlessness. This study should help provide new insights into the complex interaction of physiological and endocrine factors governing stopover behavior in spring migrant passerines.

Selected publications

Maggini I, Bairlein F (2012, in press) Innate sex differences in the timing of spring migration in a songbird. PLoS ONE.

Jenni-Eiermann S, Almasi B, Maggini I, Salewski V, Bruderer B, Liechti F, Jenni L (2011) Numbers, foraging and refuelling of passerine migrants at a stopover site in the western Sahara: diverse strategies to cross a desert. Journal of Ornithology 152(Suppl.1):S113-S128.

Maggini I, Bairlein F (2011) Body condition and stopover of trans-Saharan spring migrant passerines caught at a site in southern Morocco. Ringing & Migration 26:31-37.

Maggini I, Bairlein F (2010) Endogenous rhythms of seasonal migratory body mass changes and nocturnal restlessness in different populations of northern wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe. Journal of Biological Rhythms 25(4):268-276.

McElligott A, Maggini I, Hunziker L, König B (2004) Interactions between red-billed oxpeckers and black rhinos in captivity. Zoo Biology 23(4):347-354.