Faithin Omaha eBook Collection

Download or read book Stopover Departure and Movement Behaviors of Migratory Songbirds written by Bryant C. Dossman and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stopover departure timing and movement behavior are shown to be complex and governed by a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors. Ultimately, individual responses are likely driven by the constraints imposed on them. Given the ultimate importance of arrival timing on the breeding grounds, individuals are likely making behavioral decisions that facilitate a more rapid and timely migration by minimizing stopover periods. Condition upon arrival was associated with early departure (shorter stopover duration), but departure under ideal weather conditions might have a substantially larger impact on the overall rate of migration. As a consequence, individuals that are better able to make 'optimal' decisions (presumably adults) are likely able to realize shorter stopovers and arrive earlier on the breeding grounds. Although habitat quality and other exogenous factors influence stopover, my study highlights how weather at the time of departure is an important determinant of stopover duration. With a changing climate, increasing variability in weather, and rapid land development, it is imperative to gain a holistic understanding of the factors that influence the timing of migration and ultimately reproductive success on the breeding grounds.