Migratory lifestyle carries no added overall energy cost in a partial migratory songbird.

ABSTRACT: Seasonal bird migration may provide energy benefits associated with moving to areas with less physiologically challenging climates or increased food availability, but migratory movements themselves may carry high costs. However, time-dynamic energy profiles of free-living migrants-especially small-bodied songbirds-are challenging to measure. Here we quantify energy output and thermoregulatory costs in partially migratory common blackbirds using implanted heart rate and temperature loggers paired with automated radio telemetry and energetic modelling. Our results show that blackbirds save considerable energy in preparation for migration by decreasing heart rate and body temperature 28 days before departure, potentially dwarfing the energy costs of migratory flights. Yet, in warmer wintering

SUBMITTER: Linek N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11618079 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature