Cited by 244Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Migratory sleeplessness in the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)

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Rattenborg, Niels C, Mandt, Bruce H, Obermeyer, William H, Winsauer, Peter J, Huber, Reto, Wikelski, Martin, Benca, Ruth M·2004·PLoS Biology

Abstract

Twice a year, normally diurnal songbirds engage in long-distance nocturnal migrations between their wintering and breeding grounds. If and how songbirds sleep during these periods of increased activity has remained a mystery. We used a combination of electrophysiological recording and neurobehavioral testing to characterize seasonal changes in sleep and cognition in captive white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) across nonmigratory and migratory seasons. Compared to sparrows in a nonmigratory state, migratory sparrows spent approximately two-thirds less time sleeping. Despite reducing sleep during migration, accuracy and responding on a repeated-acquisition task remained at a high level in sparrows in a migratory state. This resistance to sleep loss during the prolonged migratory season is in direct contrast to the decline in accuracy and responding observed following as little as one night of experimenter-induced sleep restriction in the same birds during the nonmigratory season. Our results suggest that despite being adversely affected by sleep loss during the nonmigratory season, songbirds exhibit an unprecedented capacity to reduce sleep during migration for long periods of time without associated deficits in cognitive function. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate migratory sleeplessness may provide insights into the etiology of changes in sleep and behavior in seasonal mood disorders, as well as into the functions of sleep itself.

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Crossref · 10.1371/journal.pbio.0020212

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  • White-crowned sparrows decrease their overall sleep time by almost 2/3 during migratory restlessness in comparison to their winter, nonmigratory condition, without showing typical behavioral effects of sleep deprivation.

    “Sleep EEG studies have shown that they decrease their overall sleep time by almost 2/3 during migratory restlessness in comparison to their winter, nonmigratory condition, without showing typical behavioral effects of sleep deprivation (Rattenborg et al., 2004).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Amlaner C Ball NJ Avian sleep. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Dement W, editors. Principles and practice of sleep medicine, 2nd ed 1994 Philadelphia Saunders 81 94
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Authors
Rattenborg, N. C., Mandt, B. H., Obermeyer, W. H., Winsauer, P. J., Huber, R., Wikelski, M., & Benca, R. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
  • Louisiana State University (US)
  • Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Benca, Ruth M
Venue
PLoS Biology
Published
2004-07-13
Volume
2
Issue
7
Pages
e212
ISSN
  • 1544-9173 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-7885
OpenAlex
W2026878387
Cited by
244
References
79
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
4.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS Biology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion)
  • Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
U.S. Department of Defense
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
Keywords
white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, nocturnal migration, sleep duration, sleep restriction, cognitive function, songbirds, mood disorders, sleep function
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Cognition, Electroencephalography, Electromyography, Electrophysiology, Seasons, Sleep, Sleep Deprivation, Sleep, REM, Wakefulness, Photoperiod, Animal Migration, Sparrows

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