Philopatry of winter moult area in migratory Great Reed Warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus demonstrated by stable isotope profiles

Elizabeth Yohannes,Staffan Bensch,Raymond Lee

doi:10.1007/s10336-007-0271-9

Elizabeth Yohannes, Staffan Bensch + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-007-0271-9

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Abstract

Abstract Stable carbon- (δ13C), nitrogen- (δ15N) and hydrogen (δD) isotope profiles in feathers of migratory Great Reed Warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus recaptured for 2 or more years in 6 successive years were examined to test whether the isotope profiles of individual warblers appeared to be consistent between years. Similar isotopic signatures in successive years suggested that individual birds tended to return and grow their feathers in Afro-tropical wintering habitats that generate similar δ13C, δ15N and δD signatures. Previous studies have shown that Great Reed Warblers exhibit strong natal and breeding philopatry, with most of the surviving birds returning to the breeding site. The present study of feather δ13C, δ15N and δD isotopic values demonstrate the year-to-year fidelity might also include the African moulting sites in this migratory species.

Highlights

Many migratory bird species are known to exhibit strong philopatry to their breeding and wintering grounds (e.g. Nisbet and Medway 1972; Baker 1978; Curry-Lindhal 1981; Bibby and Green 1981; Greenwood and Harvey 1982; King and Hutchinson 2001; Holmes and Sherry 1992)
Earlier, using winter grown feather stableisotope profiles, we showed site fidelity and habitat in nine migratory species moving through sub-Saharan Africa (Yohannes et al 2007)
The stable d13C, d15N and dD isotope profiles in feathers of 29 Great Reed Warblers that were monitored for C2 years in 6 study years were consistent in their repeatability between years

Summary

Introduction

Many migratory bird species are known to exhibit strong philopatry to their breeding and wintering grounds (e.g. Nisbet and Medway 1972; Baker 1978; Curry-Lindhal 1981; Bibby and Green 1981; Greenwood and Harvey 1982; King and Hutchinson 2001; Holmes and Sherry 1992). Many migratory bird species are known to exhibit strong philopatry to their breeding and wintering grounds Nisbet and Medway 1972; Baker 1978; Curry-Lindhal 1981; Bibby and Green 1981; Greenwood and Harvey 1982; King and Hutchinson 2001; Holmes and Sherry 1992). Numerical data confirming these are rather scarce, it has been shown that some Acrocephalus species exhibit strong site fidelity and return to same area in Afrotropical wintering grounds both between and within winters No study (at least to our current knowledge) has confirmed habitat choice (trophiclevel fidelity) and philopatry in individually marked migratory birds at Afro-tropical moulting grounds and northern latitude breeding sites between and within years using stable-isotope techniques

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Discussion

Conclusion