Dynamics of the energy seascape can explain intra-specific variations in sea-crossing behaviour of soaring birds.

ABSTRACT: Thermal soaring birds extract energy from the atmosphere to achieve energetically low-cost movement. When encountering regions that are energetically costly to fly over, such as open seas, they should attempt to adjust the spatio-temporal pattern of their passage to maximize energy extraction from the atmosphere over these ecological barriers. We applied the concept of energy landscapes to investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of energy availability over the open sea for soaring flight. We specifically investigated how the 'energy seascape' may shape age-specific sea-crossing behaviour of European honey buzzards, Pernis apivorus, over the Mediterranean Sea in autumn. We found uplift potential over the sea to be the main determinant of sea-crossing distance, rather than wind condi

SUBMITTER: Nourani E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7013482 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature