Combining direct and indirect tracking techniques to assess the impact of sub-Saharan conditions on cross-continental songbird migration

TY - JOUR

T1 - Combining direct and indirect tracking techniques to assess the impact of sub-Saharan conditions on cross-continental songbird migration

AU - Pedersen, Lykke

AU - Fraser, Kevin C.

AU - Kyser, T. Kurt

AU - Tøttrup, Anders P.

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - Understanding how events throughout the annual cycle interact to influence individual fitness and hence population dynamics is crucial to optimize conservation strategies for migratory birds. Despite major advancements in technology, direct tracking devices for passerine songbirds are still limited by the need for recapturing tagged individuals. Stable-isotope analysis of bird tissue has the opportunity to supply information on a larger number of individuals, although it is limited by the indirect knowledge of the geographical position of the birds. In this study, we provide a first attempt to combine annual spatio-temporal data achieved from direct tracking with information on local environmental conditions by using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N). We use this approach to investigate if environmental conditions at the wintering area in southern Africa influence timing of spring migration and carry-over to affect breeding performance in a long-distance migratory passerine bird, the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). We found that individuals wintering in relatively moist conditions (depleted in δ13C) and at lower latitudes (closer to the breeding grounds) departed later on spring migration than individuals in more xeric habitats. However, the effect of non-breeding area conditions and latitude were not found at subsequent migration stages and late departing individuals spent fewer days on migration towards the breeding grounds. Although conditions in the non-breeding range have previously been suggested to influence population fluctuations in Red-backed Shrikes, we found no evidence of a carry-over effect on breeding performance. This study highlights the potential of combining different approaches when investigating seasonal interactions in migratory animals.

AB - Understanding how events throughout the annual cycle interact to influence individual fitness and hence population dynamics is crucial to optimize conservation strategies for migratory birds. Despite major advancements in technology, direct tracking devices for passerine songbirds are still limited by the need for recapturing tagged individuals. Stable-isotope analysis of bird tissue has the opportunity to supply information on a larger number of individuals, although it is limited by the indirect knowledge of the geographical position of the birds. In this study, we provide a first attempt to combine annual spatio-temporal data achieved from direct tracking with information on local environmental conditions by using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N). We use this approach to investigate if environmental conditions at the wintering area in southern Africa influence timing of spring migration and carry-over to affect breeding performance in a long-distance migratory passerine bird, the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). We found that individuals wintering in relatively moist conditions (depleted in δ13C) and at lower latitudes (closer to the breeding grounds) departed later on spring migration than individuals in more xeric habitats. However, the effect of non-breeding area conditions and latitude were not found at subsequent migration stages and late departing individuals spent fewer days on migration towards the breeding grounds. Although conditions in the non-breeding range have previously been suggested to influence population fluctuations in Red-backed Shrikes, we found no evidence of a carry-over effect on breeding performance. This study highlights the potential of combining different approaches when investigating seasonal interactions in migratory animals.

KW - Carry-over effects

KW - Geolocators

KW - Migration

KW - Non-breeding ecology

KW - Stable isotopes

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84984868923&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10336-016-1360-4

DO - 10.1007/s10336-016-1360-4

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84984868923

SN - 2193-7192

VL - 157

SP - 1037

EP - 1047

JO - Journal of Ornithology

JF - Journal of Ornithology

IS - 4

ER -