Avian Migrants Adjust Migration In Response To Environmental Conditions En Route

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 13 Aug 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Climate change is driving a rapid change in breeding area arrival for long-distance migrants. However, little is known about the climatic factors affecting migratory birds during the migration cycle.

We show that passage of the Sahara Desert is delayed and correlated with improved conditions in the wintering areas, while birds travel more rapidly through Europe, and adjust their breeding area arrival time in response to improved environmental conditions en route.

Hence, different phenological patterns at different latitudes and between migratory routes seem to be caused by phenotypic responses to spatial variability in the environmental conditions en route.

Royal Society journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

Biology Letters