Why do earlier-arriving migratory birds have better breeding success?

ABSTRACT: In migratory birds, early arrival on breeding sites is typically associated with greater breeding success, but the mechanisms driving these benefits are rarely known. One mechanism through which greater breeding success among early arrivers can potentially be achieved is the increased time available for replacement clutches following nest loss. However, the contribution of replacement clutches to breeding success will depend on seasonal variation in nest survival rates, and the consequences for juvenile recruitment of hatching at different times in the season. In particular, lower recruitment rates of late-hatched chicks could offset the benefits to early arrivers of being able to lay replacement clutches, which would reduce the likelihood of replacement clutch opportunities influencing se

SUBMITTER: Morrison CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6686336 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature