The significance of the Lesser Black-backed Gull to models of bird migration

Baker, R. Robin

doi:10.1080/00063658009476655

Cited by 40 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Migrants possibly develop individual strategies to cope with particularly harsh conditions found along the route, which may be modulated by individual learning. This process may develop through successive refinements following a set of exploratory movements carried out during the first years of migration (Guilford et al 2011), which are typical of many seabird species (Baker 1980;Ǻkesson & Weimerskirch 2005;Dias et al 2011). This mechanism would be particularly relevant in species without cultural inheritance of migratory behaviour; juvenile shearwaters, probably like most procellariiformes, migrate on their own (Ǻkesson & Weimerskirch 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual variability in the migratory path and stopovers of a long-distance pelagic migrant

2013

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The analysis of repeated journeys of the same individuals is becoming an important tool in the study of animal migration. This approach has been used to analyse the migratory consistency (in schedules, routes and stopovers) of various species, with implications for the understanding of navigation mechanisms, travel strategies and conservation. However, few studies have addressed the individual consistency in pelagic long-distance migrations, in particular in the routes followed in different years. By analysing 100 journeys from 35 individual Cory's shearwaters, Calonectris diomedea, that repeatedly migrated to the South African region we examined the fidelity to migratory paths and stopovers of a transequatorial seabird migrant. Cory's shearwaters showed an overall trend to be faithful to their routes in different years, which was particularly obvious in the first (southbound) part of the outward migration. Nevertheless, we did not detect any individual consistency in the final part of the outward migration, in the return migration or in the location of the stopovers. The fact that Cory's shearwaters can be either consistent or inconsistent in different parts of their routes is possibly related to the variability of the external factors (such as wind conditions and location of good foraging areas) found along the way. Ó

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual variability in the migratory path and stopovers of a long-distance pelagic migrant

2013

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“…Knowledge of the conditions and foraging opportunities available at these alternative sites can be gathered throughout the life of an individual, particularly during the first years following fledging, as suggested for other seabirds [45,46]. Prior to the first breeding attempt (at around nine years old), Cory's shearwaters spend most of their time at sea [47].…”

Section: Discussion (A) Wintering Site Selection: Flexibility or Fidementioning

confidence: 99%

Breaking the routine: individual Cory's shearwaters shift winter destinations between hemispheres and across ocean basins

et al. 2010

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There is growing evidence that migratory species are particularly vulnerable to rapid environmental changes arising from human activity. Species are expected to vary in their capacity to respond to these changes: long-distance migrants and those lacking variability in migratory traits are probably at considerable disadvantage. The few studies that have assessed the degree of plasticity in behaviour of marine animals suggest that fidelity to non-breeding destinations is usually high. In the present study, we evaluated individual flexibility in migration strategy of a highly pelagic seabird, the Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea. Geolocation data from 72 different migrations, including 14 birds that were tracked for more than one non-breeding season, showed a remarkable capacity to change winter destinations between years. Although some birds exhibited high site fidelity, others shifted from the South to North Atlantic, from the western to eastern South Atlantic, and from the Atlantic to Indian Ocean. Individuals also showed flexibility in stopover behaviour and migratory schedule. Although their K-selected lifehistory strategy has the disadvantage that the chances of microevolution are slight if circumstances alter rapidly, these results suggest that Cory's shearwaters may be in a better position than many other long-distance migrants to face the consequences of a changing environment.

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“…According to Baker (1980) the Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus is a species that apparently fits into the exploratory model. Other migration models, such as the clock and compass model (Perdeck 1958) and the goal-area navigation model (Rab0l 1970(Rab0l , 1978, do not explain the changes in migration patterns observed in the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baker 1980).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…This model suggests that young vertebrates acquire knowledge of an area far larger than needed as adults. Juvenile dispersion is followed by an exploration phase by immatures and the migration patterns of adults are based upon the knowledge they acquire during their exploration (Baker 1980). The exploratory model implies that birds have the ability to rapidly change their migration patterns in response to changes in the environment.…”

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confidence: 99%