Looking at Both Sides Now: Examining Trade-offs in Ecological Immunology in Birds

Summary

My PhD research investigates how birds balance their immune defences with the other demands of life. Immunity is essential for resisting parasites, but it comes at a cost: resources invested in defence cannot be used for migration, reproduction, or other functions. I studied this balance at different levels, combining broad comparisons across bird species with focused work on geese and grouse.
Firstly, I compared many bird species to see how ecology relates to immune variation. I then studied barnacle geese to test how season and exercise shape immune defences. In black grouse, I examined differences between males and females and the effects of a natural virus. Finally, I investigated how male grouse’s ornaments and behaviour relate to immunity.
Taken together, the work shows that bird immunity is not fixed but adapts to environments and key life stages, helping us understand how animals stay healthy while meeting life’s challenges.