Simulated fireworks disrupt behaviour, but apparently not glucose or corticosterone levels in captive Atlantic canaries Serinus canaria

Brief, loud sounds are known as impulsive noise and can trigger behavioural reactions, increase energy demand and interrupt the routine activities of organisms. However, few studies have evaluated the potential physiological costs of impulsive noise on birds under controlled conditions, hindering our understanding of its real impacts. Here, we experimentally evaluate how impulsive noise affects individual physiological and behavioural responses in Atlantic Canaries Serinus canaria . We tested the hypothesis that impulsive noise produces behavioural and physiological activation. We expected increased levels of circulating corticosterone and glucose, along with locomotor activities when canaries were exposed to simulated fireworks noise compared with background sound. Contrary to our predictions, no effect of simulated fireworks on circulating corticosterone or glucose concentrations was identified. However, when canaries were exposed to simulated fireworks, they increased the frequency of startle reflexes, jumps and calls, but decreased the number of horizontal movements on the perch and self‐grooming. We propose that birds were aware of the simulated fireworks noise and ready to react, but the stimulus did not elicit a strong physiological response under the experimental setting used in this study.