Diverse spatio-temporal aspects of avian migration rely on relatively rigid endogenous programs.However,flexibility in migratory behavior may allow effective coping with unpredictable variation in ecological condition...Diverse spatio-temporal aspects of avian migration rely on relatively rigid endogenous programs.However,flexibility in migratory behavior may allow effective coping with unpredictable variation in ecological conditions that can occur during migration.We aimed at characterizing inter-and intraindividual variation of migratory behavior in a forest-dwelling wader species,the Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola,focusing on spatio-temporal consistency across repeated migration episodes.By satellite-tracking birds from their wintering sites along the Italian peninsula to their breeding areas,we disclosed a remarkable variability in migration distances,with some birds flying more than 6,000 km to Central Asian breeding grounds(up to 101°E).Prebreeding migration was faster and of shorter duration than postbreeding migration.Birds moving over longer distances migrated faster during prebreeding migration,and those breeding at northernmost latitudes left their wintering areas earlier.Moreover,birds making longer migrations departed earlier from their breeding sites.Breeding site fidelity was very high,whereas fidelity to wintering areas increased with age.Migration routes were significantly consistent,both among repeated migration episodes and between pre-and postbreeding migration.Prebreeding migration departure date was not significantly repeatable,whereas arrival date to the breeding areas was highly repeatable.Hence,interindividual variation in migratory behavior of woodcocks was mostly explained by the location of the breeding areas,and spatial consistency was relatively large through the entire annual cycle.Flexibility in prebreeding migration departure date may suggest that environmental effects have a larger influence on temporal than on spatial aspects of migratory behavior.展开更多
基金They acknowledge support by Parco Nazionale della Majella,Parco Naturale La Mandria,Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei,and Parco Regionale dei Monti PicentiniPartial financial support was provided by Regione Veneto,ATC Salerno 2,ATC Avellino,ATC Benevento,ATC Caserta,ATC Napoli,ATC Macerata 2,ATC Frosinonc 1,ATC Cosenza 1,ATC Vastese,ATC Foggia,ATC Genova,ATC La Spezia,Comprensorio Alpino Torino 4,Provincia di Udine,M.Gemin,local FIDC sections(Roma,Umbria,Lombardia),and Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia.
文摘Diverse spatio-temporal aspects of avian migration rely on relatively rigid endogenous programs.However,flexibility in migratory behavior may allow effective coping with unpredictable variation in ecological conditions that can occur during migration.We aimed at characterizing inter-and intraindividual variation of migratory behavior in a forest-dwelling wader species,the Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola,focusing on spatio-temporal consistency across repeated migration episodes.By satellite-tracking birds from their wintering sites along the Italian peninsula to their breeding areas,we disclosed a remarkable variability in migration distances,with some birds flying more than 6,000 km to Central Asian breeding grounds(up to 101°E).Prebreeding migration was faster and of shorter duration than postbreeding migration.Birds moving over longer distances migrated faster during prebreeding migration,and those breeding at northernmost latitudes left their wintering areas earlier.Moreover,birds making longer migrations departed earlier from their breeding sites.Breeding site fidelity was very high,whereas fidelity to wintering areas increased with age.Migration routes were significantly consistent,both among repeated migration episodes and between pre-and postbreeding migration.Prebreeding migration departure date was not significantly repeatable,whereas arrival date to the breeding areas was highly repeatable.Hence,interindividual variation in migratory behavior of woodcocks was mostly explained by the location of the breeding areas,and spatial consistency was relatively large through the entire annual cycle.Flexibility in prebreeding migration departure date may suggest that environmental effects have a larger influence on temporal than on spatial aspects of migratory behavior.
