Factors influencing the movement biology of migrant songbirds confronted with an ecological barrier
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Whether or not a migratory songbird embarks on a long-distance flight across an ecological barrier is likely a response to a number of endogenous and exogenous factors. During autumn 2008 and 2009, we used automated radio tracking to investigate how energetic condition, age, and weather influenced the departure timing and direction of Swainson’s thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) during migratory stopover along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Most birds left within 1 h after sunset on the evening following capture. Those birds that departed later on the first night or remained longer than 1 day were lean. Birds that carried fat loads sufficient to cross the Gulf of Mexico generally departed in a seasonally appropriate southerly direction, whereas lean birds nearly always flew inland in a northerly direction. We did not detect an effect of age or weather on departures. The decision by lean birds to reorient movement inland may reflect the suitability of the coastal stopover site for deposition of fuel stores and the motivation to seek food among more extensive forested habitat away from the barrier.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Factors influencing the movement biology of migrant songbirds confronted with an ecological barrier |
| Series title | Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00265-013-1614-6 |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer-Verlag |
| Publisher location | Berlin |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center |
| First page | 2041 |
| Last page | 2051 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |