Migration of red-backed shrikes from the Iberian Peninsula: optimal or sub-optimal detour?
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Migration of red-backed shrikes from the Iberian Peninsula : optimal or sub-optimal detour? / Tøttrup, Anders P.; Pedersen, Lykke; Onrubia, Alejandro ; Klaassen, Raymond H. G. ; Thorup, Kasper.
In: Journal of Avian Biology, Vol. 48, No. 1, 01.2017, p. 149-154.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Migration of red-backed shrikes from the Iberian Peninsula
T2 - optimal or sub-optimal detour?
AU - Tøttrup, Anders P.
AU - Pedersen, Lykke
AU - Onrubia, Alejandro
AU - Klaassen, Raymond H. G.
AU - Thorup, Kasper
PY - 2017/1
Y1 - 2017/1
N2 - e current Northern Hemisphere migration systems are believed to have arisen since the last glaciation. In many cases, birds do not migrate strait from breeding to non-breeding areas but fly via a detour. All western European populations of red-backed shrikes Lanius collurio are assumed to reach their southern African wintering grounds detouring via southeast Europe. Based on theoretical considerations under an optimality framework this detour is apparently optimal. Here, we use individual geolocator data on red-backed shrikes breeding in Spain to show that these birds do indeed detour via southeast Europe en route to southern Africa where they join other European populations of red-backed shrikes and return via a similar route in spring. Disregarding potential wind assistance, the routes taken for the tracked birds in autumn were not optimal compared to crossing the barrier directly. For spring migration the situation was quite different with the detour apparently being optimal. However, when considering potential wind assistance estimated total air distances during autumn migration were overall similar and the barrier crossing shorter along the observed routes. We conclude that considering the potential benefit of wind assistance makes the route via southeast Europe likely to be less risky in autumn. However, it cannot be ruled out that other factors, such as following a historical colonisation route could still be important.
AB - e current Northern Hemisphere migration systems are believed to have arisen since the last glaciation. In many cases, birds do not migrate strait from breeding to non-breeding areas but fly via a detour. All western European populations of red-backed shrikes Lanius collurio are assumed to reach their southern African wintering grounds detouring via southeast Europe. Based on theoretical considerations under an optimality framework this detour is apparently optimal. Here, we use individual geolocator data on red-backed shrikes breeding in Spain to show that these birds do indeed detour via southeast Europe en route to southern Africa where they join other European populations of red-backed shrikes and return via a similar route in spring. Disregarding potential wind assistance, the routes taken for the tracked birds in autumn were not optimal compared to crossing the barrier directly. For spring migration the situation was quite different with the detour apparently being optimal. However, when considering potential wind assistance estimated total air distances during autumn migration were overall similar and the barrier crossing shorter along the observed routes. We conclude that considering the potential benefit of wind assistance makes the route via southeast Europe likely to be less risky in autumn. However, it cannot be ruled out that other factors, such as following a historical colonisation route could still be important.
U2 - 10.1111/jav.01352
DO - 10.1111/jav.01352
M3 - Journal article
VL - 48
SP - 149
EP - 154
JO - Journal of Avian Biology
JF - Journal of Avian Biology
SN - 0908-8857
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 173253085