Stopover-site feather isotopes uncover African non-breeding grounds of migratory passerines

Tal Raz, Yosef Kiat, Kevin J. Kardynal, Yaara Aharon-Rotman, Gidon Perlman, Keith A. Hobson, Takuya Iwamura‏

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The survival of migratory passerines depends considerably on conditions experienced on their non-breeding grounds. However, these critical non-breeding sites are generally poorly known, especially for species and populations using the eastern Afro-Palearctic flyway. To fill this gap, we measured hydrogen stable isotopes in winter-grown feathers (δ 2Hf) of five long-distance migratory passerines (Eurasian Blackcap, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, and Barred Warbler) collected during spring migration at a stopover site in Israel, a major migratory bottleneck in the Afro-Palearctic Flyway. We determined non-breeding origins of these species, for the entire migrating population and for early- and late-arriving individuals separately. We used a probabilistic model based on feather isotopes and isotopic distribution of precipitation δ 2H (δ 2Hp) in Africa, as well as range maps derived from species distribution models and expert opinion. While our results suggested that Reed Warbler and Olive-tree Warbler occupy most of their known range during the non-breeding season, Blackcaps migrating through Jerusalem, Israel, likely spent the non-breeding season specifically in Ethiopia and near areas, and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler concentrated in two regions in eastern tropical and central Africa. Barred Warblers’ non-breeding grounds were estimated in Kenya, but the species distribution model approach suggested additional regions. Our results further suggested that early- and late-arriving Reed Warblers spent the non-breeding season in separate areas, whereas early- and late-arriving Blackcaps migrated to the same area. Given the rapid decline in many migratory species, our results are important for a more accurate evaluation of the conditions experienced during the non-breeding season and our study is a template for refining migratory connectivity estimates for species using this important flyway.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)859-873
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Ornithology
Volume164
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V.

Keywords

  • Flyway bottleneck
  • Migratory connectivity
  • Species distribution model
  • Stable isotopes
  • Wintering grounds

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology

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