Short-term modulation of domestic pigeon (Columbia livia L.) behaviour induced by intraventricular administration of ACTH.

The behavioural responses induced in adult domestic pigeons by intraventricular injections of 0 to 6 IU of ACTH 1-39 are reported. The frequency of 10 different behaviour patterns was recorded for 90 min after administration of the peptide. The effect that was induced was complex, the frequency of some patterns increasing (yawning, headshaking, body shaking, wing-flapping), or some others decreasing (feeding, one-wing stretching, eye closing) or remaining unchanged (preening). The frequency of several patterns was maximal during the first 30 min following the injections but this was shown in some cases to be independent on the hormone administration.