JOURNAL ARTICLE

Satellite tracking of American Woodcock reveals a gradient of migration strategies.

  • Published In: Ornithology (Oxford University Press), 2024, v. 141, n. 3. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Clements, Sarah J; Berigan, Liam A; Fish, Alexander C; Darling, Rachel L; Roth, Amber M; Balkcom, Greg; Carpenter, Bobbi; Costanzo, Gary; Duguay, Jeffrey; Filkins, Kayleigh; Graham, Clayton L; Harvey, William; Hook, Michael; Howell, Douglas L; Maddox, Seth; McWilliams, Scott; Meyer, Shawn W; Nichols, Theodore C; Pollard, J Bruce; Roy, Christian 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on characterizing variation in migration strategies of the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), a migratory gamebird experiencing population decline, using GPS tracking data from approximately 300 individuals across eastern North America. Analysis via principal components revealed that woodcock migration strategies do not form discrete clusters but instead exist along continuous gradients primarily influenced by migration distance, duration, departure timing, and stopping behavior. Starting and ending geographic locations explained a substantial portion of variation in migration strategies, while individual factors such as body condition and age-sex class had limited influence, except for some spring migration differences between adult males and young females. The study concludes that this behavioral diversity along spatial gradients may enhance the species' resilience to ongoing landscape and climate changes.

Additional Information

  • Source:Ornithology (Oxford University Press). 2024/07, Vol. 141, Issue 3, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:2732-4613
  • DOI:10.1093/ornithology/ukae008
  • Accession Number:178888114
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Ornithology (Oxford University Press) is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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