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Actogram analysis of free-flying migratory birds : new perspectives based on acceleration logging

Bäckman, Johan LU orcid ; Andersson, Arne LU orcid ; Pedersen, Lykke ; Sjöberg, Sissel LU ; Tøttrup, Anders P and Alerstam, Thomas LU (2017) In Journal of Comparative Physiology A 203(6-7). p.543-564
Abstract

The use of accelerometers has become an important part of biologging techniques for large-sized birds with accelerometer data providing information about flight mode, wing-beat pattern, behaviour and energy expenditure. Such data show that birds using much energy-saving soaring/gliding flight like frigatebirds and swifts can stay airborne without landing for several months. Successful accelerometer studies have recently been conducted also for free-flying small songbirds during their entire annual cycle. Here we review the principles and possibilities for accelerometer studies in bird migration. We use the first annual actograms (for red-backed shrike Lanius collurio) to explore new analyses and insights that become possible with... (More)

The use of accelerometers has become an important part of biologging techniques for large-sized birds with accelerometer data providing information about flight mode, wing-beat pattern, behaviour and energy expenditure. Such data show that birds using much energy-saving soaring/gliding flight like frigatebirds and swifts can stay airborne without landing for several months. Successful accelerometer studies have recently been conducted also for free-flying small songbirds during their entire annual cycle. Here we review the principles and possibilities for accelerometer studies in bird migration. We use the first annual actograms (for red-backed shrike Lanius collurio) to explore new analyses and insights that become possible with accelerometer data. Actogram data allow precise estimates of numbers of flights, flight durations as well as departure/landing times during the annual cycle. Annual and diurnal rhythms of migratory flights, as well as prolonged nocturnal flights across desert barriers are illustrated. The shifting balance between flight, rest and different intensities of activity throughout the year as revealed by actogram data can be used to analyse exertion levels during different phases of the life cycle. Accelerometer recording of the annual activity patterns of individual birds will open up a new dimension in bird migration research.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Accelerometer, Activity, Annual cycle, Bird migration, Flight pattern
in
Journal of Comparative Physiology A
volume
203
issue
6-7
pages
543 - 564
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:28343237
  • wos:000406794100015
  • scopus:85016049800
ISSN
0340-7594
DOI
10.1007/s00359-017-1165-9
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
15ef3785-a64d-4d06-8a77-4530b0d597d8
date added to LUP
2017-04-05 08:53:23
date last changed
2024-04-28 10:05:05
@article{15ef3785-a64d-4d06-8a77-4530b0d597d8,
  abstract     = {{<p>The use of accelerometers has become an important part of biologging techniques for large-sized birds with accelerometer data providing information about flight mode, wing-beat pattern, behaviour and energy expenditure. Such data show that birds using much energy-saving soaring/gliding flight like frigatebirds and swifts can stay airborne without landing for several months. Successful accelerometer studies have recently been conducted also for free-flying small songbirds during their entire annual cycle. Here we review the principles and possibilities for accelerometer studies in bird migration. We use the first annual actograms (for red-backed shrike Lanius collurio) to explore new analyses and insights that become possible with accelerometer data. Actogram data allow precise estimates of numbers of flights, flight durations as well as departure/landing times during the annual cycle. Annual and diurnal rhythms of migratory flights, as well as prolonged nocturnal flights across desert barriers are illustrated. The shifting balance between flight, rest and different intensities of activity throughout the year as revealed by actogram data can be used to analyse exertion levels during different phases of the life cycle. Accelerometer recording of the annual activity patterns of individual birds will open up a new dimension in bird migration research.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bäckman, Johan and Andersson, Arne and Pedersen, Lykke and Sjöberg, Sissel and Tøttrup, Anders P and Alerstam, Thomas}},
  issn         = {{0340-7594}},
  keywords     = {{Accelerometer; Activity; Annual cycle; Bird migration; Flight pattern}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6-7}},
  pages        = {{543--564}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Journal of Comparative Physiology A}},
  title        = {{Actogram analysis of free-flying migratory birds : new perspectives based on acceleration logging}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00359-017-1165-9}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00359-017-1165-9}},
  volume       = {{203}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}