Behavioral and physiological effects of photoperiod-induced migratory state and leptin on a migratory bird, Zonotrichia albicollis: I. Anorectic effects of leptin administration

► We manipulate photoperiod to induce migration in captive sparrows. ► We test if migration affects the response of feeding to leptin administration. ► Leptin decreased feeding and body fat in non-migrants, but had no effect on migrants. ► Leptin receptor is expressed in the brain and other tissues of sparrows. ► Expression of leptin receptor and SOCS3 do not differ between migratory and non-migratory sparrows.