Long-duration wind tunnel flights reveal exponential declines in protein catabolism over time in short- and long-distance migratory warblers.

ABSTRACT: During migration, long-distance migratory songbirds may fly nonstop for days, whereas shorter-distance migrants complete flights of 6 to 10 h. Fat is the primary fuel source, but protein is also assumed to provide a low, consistent amount of energy for flight. However, little is known about how the use of these fuel sources differs among bird species and in response to flight duration. Current models predict that birds can fly until fat stores are exhausted, with little consideration of protein's limits on flight range or duration. We captured two related migratory species-ultra long-distance blackpoll warblers (Setophaga striata) and short-distance yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata)-during fall migration and flew them in a wind tunnel to examine differences in energ

SUBMITTER: Elowe CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10151508 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature