Chronic stress and costly life events do not affect wound healing ability in wild birds. Corticosterone levels did not differ with molt status, but birds with low baseline corticosterone healed faster. Body mass and energy expenditure were linked to wound healing, with heavier birds healing faster. Despite losing weight during stress, all birds gained weight after being wounded, possibly due to compensatory feeding. Nighttime heart rate decreased during healing in non-molting, stressed birds, but not in molting birds. Overall, chronic stress did not hinder wound healing, but corticosterone may play a role in the process, and molt could influence energy-saving strategies during stress.