Long‐distance migrants vary migratory behaviour as much as short‐distance migrants: An individual‐level comparison from a seabird species with diverse migration strategies

Brown, J. Morgan; Loon, E. Emiel van; Bouten, W.; Camphuysen, C.J.; Lens, Luc; Müller, Wendt; Thaxter, Chris B.; Shamoun‐Baranes, Judy

doi:10.1111/1365-2656.13431

Cited by 35 publications

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References 72 publications

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“…[ 20 ]), and seabirds (e.g. [ 21 ]) have reported varying levels of between-individual variation in migratory behaviour, linking it to traits such as age (e.g. [ 22 , 23 ]) or sex (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird

et al. 2022

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Background Understanding the evolution of migration requires knowledge of the patterns, sources, and consequences of variation in migratory behaviour, a need exacerbated by the fact that many migratory species show rapid population declines and require knowledge-based conservation measures. We therefore need detailed knowledge on the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals across their annual cycle, and quantify how the spatial and temporal components of migratory behaviour vary within and among individuals. Methods We tracked 138 migratory journeys undertaken by 64 adult common terns (Sterna hirundo) from a breeding colony in northwest Germany to identify the annual spatiotemporal distribution of these birds and to evaluate the individual repeatability of eleven traits describing their migratory behaviour. Results Birds left the breeding colony early September, then moved south along the East Atlantic Flyway. Wintering areas were reached mid-September and located at the west and south coasts of West Africa as well as the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. Birds left their wintering areas late March and reached the breeding colony mid-April. The timing, total duration and total distance of migration, as well as the location of individual wintering areas, were moderately to highly repeatable within individuals (repeatability indexes: 0.36–0.75, 0.65–0.66, 0.93–0.94, and 0.98–1.00, respectively), and repeatability estimates were not strongly affected by population-level inter-annual variation in migratory behaviour. Conclusions We found large between-individual variation in common tern annual spatiotemporal distribution and strong individual repeatability of several aspects of their migratory behaviour.

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“…[ 20 ]), and seabirds (e.g. [ 21 ]) have reported varying levels of between-individual variation in migratory behaviour, linking it to traits such as age (e.g. [ 22 , 23 ]) or sex (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird

et al. 2022

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“…Recent advances in remote tracking technology have facilitated numerous studies following the movements of birds across multiple annual cycles [ 34 ]. These repeated measures of individuals allow investigation of spatiotemporal consistency (or, conversely, flexibility) in migration strategies within and among individuals (e.g., [ 8 , 35 ]). As a result, there are now many avian studies which have investigated individual consistency in migratory timings (reviewed by Franklin et al, in review, [ 5 ]), and non-breeding locations [ 13 , 42 ] and, more recently, year-to-year fidelity in migratory routes [ 54 ] and stopovers [ 8 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual consistency in migration strategies of a tropical seabird, the Round Island petrel

et al. 2022

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Background In migratory species, the extent of within- and between-individual variation in migratory strategies can influence potential rates and directions of responses to environmental changes. Quantifying this variation requires tracking of many individuals on repeated migratory journeys. At temperate and higher latitudes, low levels of within-individual variation in migratory behaviours are common and may reflect repeated use of predictable resources in these seasonally-structured environments. However, variation in migratory behaviours in the tropics, where seasonal predictability of food resources can be weaker, remains largely unknown. Methods Round Island petrels (Pterodroma sp.) are tropical, pelagic seabirds that breed all year round and perform long-distance migrations. Using multi-year geolocator tracking data from 62 individuals between 2009 and 2018, we quantify levels of within- and between-individual variation in non-breeding distributions and timings. Results We found striking levels of between-individual variation in at-sea movements and timings, with non-breeding migrations to different areas occurring across much of the Indian Ocean and throughout the whole year. Despite this, repeat-tracking of individual petrels revealed remarkably high levels of spatial and temporal consistency in within-individual migratory behaviour, particularly for petrels that departed at similar times in different years and for those departing in the austral summer. However, while the same areas were used by individuals in different years, they were not necessarily used at the same times during the non-breeding period. Conclusions Even in tropical systems with huge ranges of migratory routes and timings, our results suggest benefits of consistency in individual migratory behaviours. Identifying the factors that drive and maintain between-individual variation in migratory behaviour, and the consequences for breeding success and survival, will be key to understanding the consequences of environmental change across migratory ranges.

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“…Any link between their passage and local temperatures is not a cause-and-effect relationship, but the effect of temperatures being correlated over wide areas ( Koenig, 1999 ). The correlation of temperatures in northern Europe with those at previous stopovers in southern Europe and northern Africa might cue long-distance migrants to adjust their arrivals to conditions near and at the breeding grounds ( Saino & Ambrosini, 2008 ; Tøttrup et al, 2008 ; Tøttrup et al, 2010 ; Haest, Hüppop & Bairlein, 2020 ; Brown et al, 2021 ). Temperatures in southern Europe during stopovers influence the timing of migrants’ arrivals at more northern sites ( Gordo, 2007 ; Halkka, Lehikoinen & Velmala, 2011 ; Briedis, Hahn & Adamík, 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate in Africa sequentially shapes spring passage of Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusacross the Baltic coast

Remisiewicz

Underhill

2022

PeerJ

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Background Many migrant birds have been returning to Europe earlier in spring since the 1980s. This has been attributed mostly to an earlier onset of spring in Europe, but we found the timing of Willow Warblers’ passage to be influenced by climate indices for Africa as much as those for Europe. Willow Warblers’ spring passage through northern Europe involves populations from different wintering quarters in Africa. We therefore expected that migration timing in the early, middle and late periods of spring would be influenced sequentially by climate indices operating in different parts of the winter range. Methods Using data from daily mistnetting in 1 April–15 May over 1982–2017 at Bukowo (Poland, Baltic Sea coast), we derived an Annual Anomaly (AA, in days) of Willow Warbler spring migration. We decomposed this anomaly into three main periods (1–26 April, 27 April–5 May, 6–15 May); one-third of migrants in each period. We modelled three sequential time series of spring passage using calendar year and 15 large-scale climate indices averaged over the months of Willow Warblers’ life stages in the year preceding spring migration as explanatory variables in multiple regression models. Nine climate variables were selected in the best models. We used these nine explanatory variables and calculated their partial correlations in models for nine overlapping sub-periods of AA. The pattern of relationships between AA in these nine sub-periods of spring and the nine climate variables indicated how spring passage had responded to the climate. We recommend this method for the study of birds’ phenological responses to climate change. Results The Southern Oscillation Index and Indian Ocean Dipole in Aug–Oct showed large partial correlations early in the passage, then faded in importance. For the Sahel Precipitation Index (PSAH) and Sahel Temperature Anomaly (TSAH) in Aug–Oct partial correlations occurred early then peaked in mid-passage; for PSAH (Nov–March) correlations peaked at the end of passage. NAO and local temperatures (April–May) showed low correlations till late April, which then increased. For the Scandinavian Index (Jun–Jul) partial correlations peaked in mid-passage. Year was not selected in any of the best models, indicating that the climate variables alone accounted for Willow Warblers’ multiyear trend towards an earlier spring passage. Discussion Climate indices for southern and eastern Africa dominated relationships in early spring, but western African indices dominated in mid- and late spring. We thus concluded that Willow Warblers wintering in southern and eastern Africa dominated early arrivals, but those from western Africa dominated later. We suggest that drivers of phenological shifts in avian migration are related to changes in climate at remote wintering grounds and at stopovers, operating with climate change in the north, especially for species with complex and long-distance migration patterns.

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Long‐distance migrants vary migratory behaviour as much as short‐distance migrants: An individual‐level comparison from a seabird species with diverse migration strategies

Abstract: This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

Cited by 35 publications

References 72 publications

High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird

High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird

Individual consistency in migration strategies of a tropical seabird, the Round Island petrel

Climate in Africa sequentially shapes spring passage of Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusacross the Baltic coast

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