Linking fluctuations in rainfall to nonbreeding season performance in a long-distance migratory bird, Setophaga ruticilla

Studds, Colin E.; Marra, Peter P.

doi:10.3354/cr00718

Cited by 159 publications

(238 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…Although we have not measured this threshold directly, carrying capacity is probably related to the availability of arthropod prey. We previously found that dry season rainfall predicted food availability in both mangrove and scrub habitat [38,41]. Our finding that conspecific density explained more variation in body condition than rainfall suggests that the potential benefits of elevated food were more often accompanied by intense competition for resources.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

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Non-breeding season habitat quality mediates the strength of density-dependence for a migratory bird

et al. 2015

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Our understanding of when natural populations are regulated during their annual cycle is limited, particularly for migratory species. This information is needed for parametrizing models that can inform management and conservation. Here, we use 14 years of data on colour-marked birds to investigate how conspecific density and habitat quality during the tropical non-breeding period interact to affect body condition and apparent annual survival of a long-distance migratory songbird, the American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). Body condition and survival of birds in high-quality mangrove habitat declined as density increased. By contrast, body condition improved and survival did not vary as density increased in adjacent, lower quality scrub habitat, although mean condition and survival were almost always lower than in mangrove. High rainfall enhanced body condition in scrub but not in mangrove, suggesting factors such as food availability outweighed consequences of crowding in lower quality habitat. Thus, survival of overwintering redstarts in mangrove habitat, disproportionately males, appears to be regulated by a crowding mechanism based on densitydependent resource competition. Survival of individuals in scrub, mostly females, appears to be limited by density-independent environmental factors but not regulated by crowding. The contrasting effects of density and food limitation on individuals overwintering in adjacent habitats illustrate the complexity of processes operating during the non-breeding period for migratory animals, and emphasize the need for long-term studies of animals in multiple habitats and throughout their annual cycles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…We analysed only birds captured in spring (15 March-15 April). Body condition at this time of year reflected environmental conditions across the non-breeding period [36,38]. We estimated body condition as the standardized residuals from a regression of body mass on tarsus and wing length.…”

Section: (C) Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-breeding season habitat quality mediates the strength of density-dependence for a migratory bird

et al. 2015

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“…Marra and Holberton, 1998;Marra and Holmes, 2001;Latta and Faaborg, 2002;Brown and Sherry, 2006;Studds and Marra, 2007;Smith et al, 2010) and the timing of migration Studds and Marra, 2005;Gunnarsson et al, 2006;Bridge et al, 2010). This can ultimately lead to carry-over effects on breeding success Reudink et al, 2009;Inger et al, 2010), survival (Johnson et al, 2006;Angelier et al, 2009) and natal dispersal (Studds et al, 2008), such that non-breeding and breeding life history stages interact across geographical space.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early elevation of testosterone advances migratory preparation in a songbird

Tonra

Marra

Holberton

2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYThe timing of events associated with spring migration can be an important determinant of fitness for migratory birds. The need to prepare and maintain physical condition for migration is one demand that must be met for early arrival on breeding areas, and this demand is compounded by the energetic demands of the physiological transition to breeding. Here, we examined whether migratory birds, specifically males, can adequately meet both of these demands by elevating the sex steroid testosterone early during migratory preparation. To test this, we used a captive experiment in which we photostimulated male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) and manipulated circulating testosterone. We predicted males with elevated testosterone would prepare to migrate and breed faster than control males or males where the ability of testosterone to bind with receptors, or be converted to estradiol, was inhibited (testosterone inhibited). We measured migratory preparation using mass, food intake, fat deposits and nocturnal activity (Zugunruhe). To estimate breeding preparation, we measured the diameter of the cloacal protuberance (CP). We found that males in the testosterone treatment group began migratory preparation approximately 10days before controls. There was no difference in the magnitude of peak migratory condition between testosterone-implanted birds and controls. Males implanted with testosterone also reached the onset of breeding preparation faster and had larger peak CP diameter compared with controls. Testosterone-inhibited birds showed no signs of migratory preparation and only a weak increase in CP diameter. These results demonstrate that early elevation of testosterone during migratory preparation could incur benefits for males in terms of the ability to depart earlier from non-breeding areas and arrive in a more advanced breeding condition. This experiment demonstrates that there may be important physiological underpinnings to known winter to breeding season carry-over effects in migratory birds.

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“…The observed change in arrival date in long-distance migrants may be at variance with the notion of rather inflexible timing mechanisms described above, but these changes may be the result of improved conditions en route, allowing faster migration rather than an earlier onset of migration (Huin & Sparks 1998, Coppack & Both 2002, Ahola et al 2004, Bairlein & Hüppop 2004, Both et al 2005, Gordo & Sanz 2005, Hüppop & Winkel 2006, Gordo 2007. Migration dates may also change because of changed conditions at the wintering grounds, allowing birds to start migration earlier (Cotton 2003, Saino et al 2004, 2007, this issue, Sparks & Tryjanowksi 2007, Studds & Marra 2007, although these circumstances may be unrelated to phenological conditions at the breeding grounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and timing of avian breeding and migration throughout Europe

Both¹,

Marvelde²

2007

Clim. Res.

138

139

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Bird breeding and spring migration phenology have advanced in response to climate change, but the effects differ between sites. Here, we examine the geographical variation in layingdate trends in a short-distance migrant, the European starling Sturnus vulgaris, and a long-distance migrant, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. We model the trend in laying date for these 2 species -between 1980 and 2004 for most of their European breeding areas -by combining geographical variation in mean laying date, the effect of temperature on laying date, and spatial variation in temperature change. Starlings are predicted to have advanced breeding over most of their range, with the greatest advance in north-eastern Europe. In contrast, pied flycatchers have delayed their laying in northern Europe, but have advanced their laying in western and central Europe. The species differ because pied flycatchers lay their eggs 25 d later at each site than starlings, and temperatures during these 2 periods show different trends. Temperatures during migration have also changed differently for populations heading to different breeding areas. This was most pronounced for pied flycatchers; northern populations experience an increase in temperatures during migration, while more southern populations presently still migrate at temperatures similar to those experienced 25 yr ago. As a consequence the southern population may be constrained in adapting to climate change by low temperatures during migration. There is a large contrast in how circumstances during migration and at the breeding grounds have changed: populations that advanced breeding most were subjected to the lowest temperature increases during migration. The temporal and spatial variation in temperature change has important consequences on how migrants adapt to ongoing climate change.

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Linking fluctuations in rainfall to nonbreeding season performance in a long-distance migratory bird, Setophaga ruticilla

Cited by 159 publications

References 52 publications

Non-breeding season habitat quality mediates the strength of density-dependence for a migratory bird

Non-breeding season habitat quality mediates the strength of density-dependence for a migratory bird

Early elevation of testosterone advances migratory preparation in a songbird

Climate change and timing of avian breeding and migration throughout Europe

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