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There and Back Again - nocturnal migratory behaviour of birds during spring and autumn

Karlsson, Håkan LU (2010)
Abstract
This dissertation explores the migratory behaviour of nocturnally migrating passerines and common swifts (Apus apus). Birds passing Lund (southern Sweden) and Abisko (northernmost Scandinavia) where sampled using tracking radar. The aim has been to investigate potential diverging strategies between spring and autumn migration. We have found that both passerines and swifts compensate for wind drift, the swifts more so than passerines. Such compensation for displacement by winds where found both during spring and autumn migration. At Abisko the birds exhibited an exaggerated scatter of flight directions, particularly during spring migration. We have suggested that this behavior reflects the final approach orientation and navigation of the... (More)
This dissertation explores the migratory behaviour of nocturnally migrating passerines and common swifts (Apus apus). Birds passing Lund (southern Sweden) and Abisko (northernmost Scandinavia) where sampled using tracking radar. The aim has been to investigate potential diverging strategies between spring and autumn migration. We have found that both passerines and swifts compensate for wind drift, the swifts more so than passerines. Such compensation for displacement by winds where found both during spring and autumn migration. At Abisko the birds exhibited an exaggerated scatter of flight directions, particularly during spring migration. We have suggested that this behavior reflects the final approach orientation and navigation of the migrants. Additionally, both swifts and passerines flew at higher air speeds (speed relative the air) in spring than in autumn, indicating a selection for time minimization on migration to the breeding grounds. However, we saw no indications of birds favouring tailwind conditions for their migratory flights. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Prof Moore, Frank, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
migration, seasons, flight, orientation, navigation, behaviour, strategies, birds, nocturnal
pages
105 pages
defense location
Blå Hallen, Ekologihuset
defense date
2010-10-08 09:30:00
ISBN
978-91-7473-026-5
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Animal Ecology (Closed 2011) (011012001)
id
69b5df3d-4aef-45fb-a776-c860bcc6f46d (old id 1668194)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:19:10
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:19:36
@phdthesis{69b5df3d-4aef-45fb-a776-c860bcc6f46d,
  abstract     = {{This dissertation explores the migratory behaviour of nocturnally migrating passerines and common swifts (Apus apus). Birds passing Lund (southern Sweden) and Abisko (northernmost Scandinavia) where sampled using tracking radar. The aim has been to investigate potential diverging strategies between spring and autumn migration. We have found that both passerines and swifts compensate for wind drift, the swifts more so than passerines. Such compensation for displacement by winds where found both during spring and autumn migration. At Abisko the birds exhibited an exaggerated scatter of flight directions, particularly during spring migration. We have suggested that this behavior reflects the final approach orientation and navigation of the migrants. Additionally, both swifts and passerines flew at higher air speeds (speed relative the air) in spring than in autumn, indicating a selection for time minimization on migration to the breeding grounds. However, we saw no indications of birds favouring tailwind conditions for their migratory flights.}},
  author       = {{Karlsson, Håkan}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-7473-026-5}},
  keywords     = {{migration; seasons; flight; orientation; navigation; behaviour; strategies; birds; nocturnal}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{There and Back Again - nocturnal migratory behaviour of birds during spring and autumn}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}