High individual repeatability of the migratory behaviour of a long-distance migratory seabird.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the evolution of migration requires knowledge of the patterns, sources, and consequences of variation in migratory behaviour, a need exacerbated by the fact that many migratory species show rapid population declines and require knowledge-based conservation measures. We therefore need detailed knowledge on the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals across their annual cycle, and quantify how the spatial and temporal components of migratory behaviour vary within and among individuals.

Methods

We tracked 138 migratory journeys undertaken by 64 adult common terns (Sterna hirundo) from a breeding colony in northwest Germany to identify the annual spatiotemporal distribution of these birds and to evaluate the individual repeatability of eleven tr

SUBMITTER: Kurten N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8817581 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature