Winter Site Fidelity and Winter Residency of Six Migratory Neotropical Species in Mexico

Abstract

Neotropical migratory bird survivorship during the time they spend in wintering areas has been of major concern during the last several decades, yet still little is known about it. Evidence of behaviors that could increase the probability of individual survival, as well as increasing future reproductive success such as winter site fidelity and winter residency have gradually been documented for several migratory species. No evidence of these behaviors has been documented in urban areas. We present the results of a 9-year monitoring study in the green area of the Ethnobotanical Garden in the urban area of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico, using banding. Six of the 48 neotropical migratory species captured were selected for analysis of winter site fidelity and winter residency. The Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) had the highest recapture rate (31.7%) with the highest winter fidelity (14.6%) and winter residency (24.4%). The next four species had recapture rates between 10.6–15.7%, winter fidelity between 6.0–10.4%, and winter residency between 5.1–19.1%. The Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) demonstrated neither winter fidelity nor winter residency. Our results suggest urban green space areas may have an underestimated role in migratory bird conservation.