Wind selectivity and partial compensation for wind drift among nocturnally migrating passerines.

ABSTRACT: A migrating bird's response to wind can impact its timing, energy expenditure, and path taken. The extent to which nocturnal migrants select departure nights based on wind (wind selectivity) and compensate for wind drift remains unclear. In this paper, we determine the effect of wind selectivity and partial drift compensation on the probability of successfully arriving at a destination area and on overall migration speed. To do so, we developed an individual-based model (IBM) to simulate full drift and partial compensation migration of juvenile Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) along the southwesterly (SW) European migration corridor to the Iberian coast. Various degrees of wind selectivity were tested according to how large a drift angle and transport cost (mechanical energy per un

SUBMITTER: McLaren JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3431116 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature