Migration of Banded Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

Royall, Willis C.; Grazio, John W. De; Guarino, Joseph L.; Gammell, Ann M.

doi:10.2307/1366129

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Abundance figures adapted from Price et al (1995) . The migratory pathway (solid line) was constructed from Royall et al (1971) . Dashed line outlines the historical range of Yellow‐headed Blackbirds ( Loucks 1893 ; Weller 1969 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If this were the case, there would be a synchronous population decline across the species' range, unless populations wintered in different areas. There is, however, no evidence of this in Yellow‐headed Blackbirds (Royall et al 1971). To determine whether the population trend in Illinois was part of a global trend for Yellow‐headed Blackbirds, as opposed to local factors or geographic isolation, I used the population trend generated by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data from 1992 to 2002 for Yellow‐headed Blackbirds throughout their range.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Role of Immigration in the Decline of an Isolated Migratory Bird Population

Ward

2005

Conservation Biology

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Low immigration is rarely considered a potential causal factor in the population decline of migratory birds. Because migratory songbirds exhibit low natal philopatry, however, recruitment is from outside the population. Therefore, if isolation affects immigration the geographic fragmentation of a species' range may result in population declines. I tested four hypotheses on the possible causes of population decline of an isolated population of Yellow‐headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in Illinois (U.S.A.): (1) local habitat loss, (2) poor reproductive success, (3) low adult survival, and (4) low immigration. Historical accounts indicate this population has declined and become more isolated over the last century. From 1998 to 2003, I determined the population size, the annual return rate, and mean reproductive success of Yellow‐headed Blackbirds in Illinois. I also determined the amount of suitable habitat for the species in the area. Over the course of the study the population declined by 25%. Although habitat loss was likely to be responsible for the population's historical decline, currently the habitat is not saturated and many seemingly appropriate sites remain unoccupied. The reproductive success of the Illinois population is one of the highest recorded for this species. Adult survival was within the range of survival values found in other stable populations. Yellow‐headed Blackbirds, like most migratory passerines, exhibit low natal philopatry; therefore, recruitment is primarily from outside the population. Recruitment was unusually low in this population, suggesting the population's isolation on the periphery of the species' range has reduced the number of immigrants. Although individuals in the population had high survival and reproduction, the population continued to decline because of low immigration. Conventional management (i.e., restoring habitat) may not mitigate a population's decline if low immigration is responsible for the decline. Greater connectivity at a large scale may be necessary to conserve isolated populations of migratory birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Immigration in the Decline of an Isolated Migratory Bird Population

Ward

2005

Conservation Biology

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“…Nelms et al (1994) estimated the regional breeding population at 19.3 Yellow-headed Blackbird pairs per square kilometer. This area of central North Dakota is also in the migratory corridor of Yellow-headed Blackbirds that breed in more northern latitudes (Royall et al 1971).…”

Section: Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Flight Feather Molt in Yellow-Headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in North Dakota

Twedt

Linz

2015

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology

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Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in central North Dakota undergo prebasic molt or prejuvenile molt during late summer. Nestling Yellow-headed Blackbirds initiate a complete prejuvenile molt, grow their primary and secondary regimes in about 40 days, completing molt after they leave the nest by the first week in August. Remiges are not replaced during the subsequent preformative molt, being retained until the second prebasic molt. Nonlinear (logistic) regression of primary remex growth during definitive prebasic molts of Yellow-headed Blackbirds indicated 38 days were required to complete the linear phase of growth (between 10% and 90% of total primary length). Males added 19.5 mm/d and females added 15.7 mm/d to the total length of all primaries during this linear growth phase; an average of 4-5 mm per primary remex per day. Definitive prebasic molting of primary remiges in males and females was initiated in late June, after nesting and brood rearing were completed. Molts of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were completed by early September, before birds emigrated from North Dakota during mid-September. Because of their comparatively early completion of molt and emigration from the state, as well as their more diverse diet, agricultural depredation caused by Yellow-headed Blackbirds in North Dakota is likely less than that of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles.

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