International migration patterns of Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) from four breeding populations in Alaska.

ABSTRACT: Identifying post-breeding migration and wintering distributions of migratory birds is important for understanding factors that may drive population dynamics. Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) are widely distributed across Alaska and currently have varying population trends, including some populations with recent periods of decline. To investigate population differentiation and the location of migration pathways and wintering areas, which may inform population trend patterns, we used satellite transmitters (n = 32) to describe migration patterns of four geographically separate breeding populations of Red-throated Loons in Alaska. On average (± SD) Red-throated Loons underwent long (6,288 ± 1,825 km) fall and spring migrations predominantly along coastlines. The most northern population (A

SUBMITTER: McCloskey SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5761837 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature