Ringing studies of the Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (Aves: Oriolidae) during passage through Antikythira Island, southwestern Greece

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to describe the phenology of migration, biometrics and fat storage for Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758) mist-netted for ringing on Antikythira Island (southern Greece); the migration phenology of the species is described for the first time in Greece. The data suggest that spring passage through the Mediterranean Basin occurs between mid-April and late May, and autumn passage between late August and late September. Most birds paused their migration on Antikythira only briefly, between successive nocturnal flights. The range of wing length of the species was 140–178 mm and of tarsus length 19.5–26.4 mm (mean 22.8 mm). Males were found to have a longer mean wing length than females (males 154 mm, females 152 mm) but no difference was found in the tarsus length between sexes or ages. Weight in spring ranged from 46.2 g to 88 g (mean 60.9 g) and in autumn was 61–104 g (mean 84.8 g). Fat scores were much higher in autumn than in spring.