Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Individual variation in timing of migration: causes and reproductive consequences in greater snow geese (Anser caerulescens atlanticus)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Decisions made by birds during migration to breeding grounds can strongly affect the fitness of individuals. We investigated possible causes and reproductive consequences of inter-individual variation in the migratory behavior of an arctic-nesting species, the greater snow goose (Anser caerulescens atlanticus), by radio-tracking females at their staging area and on their breeding grounds. Females showed relatively high repeatability in the duration of migration (ri=0.37) and arrival date on the breeding grounds (ri=0.42) suggesting that these traits are characteristics of individuals. Conversely, no individual consistency in departure date from the staging area was detected (ri=−0.02) indicating that environmental factors may have a large influence. Females paired with dominant males departed slightly earlier from the staging area than females accompanied by subordinate males. However, neither social status on the staging area (i.e. paired vs unpaired) nor dominance scores were associated with arrival time of individuals. Finally, the probability of breeding was positively related to arrival date indicating a reproductive cost of arriving too early on the breeding grounds. The combination of breeding probability and seasonal decline in breeding success nonetheless suggests that females arriving a few days earlier than the median arrival date attained highest reproductive success. Our results show that assessing the fitness consequences of early arrival by focusing solely on breeding females would lead to an overestimation of the genuine benefits. This study also indicates possible genetically based differences among individuals in migration duration and arrival time on the breeding grounds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alerstam T, Hedenström A, Åkesson S (2003) Long-distance migration: evolution and determinants. Oikos 103:247–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Béchet A, Giroux J.-F, Gauthier G, Nichols JD, Hines JE (2003) A spring hunt changes the regional movements of migrating greater snow geese in southern Québec. J Appl Ecol 40:553–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berteaux D, Réale D, McAdam AG, Boutin S (2004) Keeping pace with fast climate change: can arctic life count on evolution? Integr Comp Biol 44:140–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthold P (2001) Bird migration: a general survey. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bêty J, Gauthier G, Giroux J.-F, Korpimäki E (2001) Are goose nesting success and lemming cycles linked? Interplay between nest density and predators. Oikos 93:388–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Bêty J, Gauthier G, Giroux J.-F (2003) Body condition, migration, and timing of reproduction in snow geese: A test of the condition-dependent model of optimal clutch size. Am Nat 162:110–121

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boag PT, van Noordwijk AJ (1987) Quantitative genetics. In: Cooke F, Buckley PA (eds) Avian genetics. Academic Press, London, pp 45–78

  • Both C, Visser ME (2001) Adjustment to climate change is constrained by arrival date in a long-distance migrant bird. Nature 411:296–298

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown CR, Brown MB (2000) Weather-mediated natural selection on arrival time in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 47:339–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown JL, Brown ER, Sedransk J, Ritter S (1997) Dominance, age, and reproductive success in a complex society: a long-term study of the Mexican jay. Auk 114:279–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Catry P, Ruxton GD, Ratcliffe N, Hamer KC, Furness RW (1999) Short-lived repeatabilities in long-lived great skuas: implications for the study of individual quality. Oikos 84:473–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke F, Rockwell RF, Lank DB (1995) The snow geese of La Pérouse Bay: natural selection in the wild. Oxford University Press, Oxford

  • Coppack T, Both C (2002) Predicting life-cycle adaptation of migratory birds to global climate change. Ardea 90:369–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Demers F, Giroux J.-F, Gauthier G, Bêty J (2003) Effects of collar-attached transmitters on behavior, pair bond and breeding success of snow geese Anser caerulescens atlanticus. Wildl Biol 9:77–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Dohm MR (2002) Repeatability estimates do not always set an upper limit to heritability. Funct Ecol 16:273–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drent R, Both C, Green M, Madsen J, Piersma T (2003) Pay-offs and penalties of competing migratory schedules. Oikos 103:274–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ens BJ, Goss-Custard JD (1984) Interference among oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, feeding on mussels, Mytilus edulis, on the Exe Estuary. J Anim Ecol 53:217–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer DS (1989) Introduction to quantitative genetics. Wiley, New York

  • Féret M, Gauthier G, Béchet A, Giroux J.-F, Hobson K (2003) Effect of a spring hunt on nutrient storage by greater snow geese in southern Québec. J Wildl Manage 67:796–807

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier G, Bédard J, Huot J, Bédard Y (1984a) Protein reserves during staging in greater snow geese. Condor 86:210–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier G, Bédard J, Huot J, Bédard Y (1984b) Spring accumulation of fat by greater snow geese in two staging habitats. Condor 86:192–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier G, Giroux J.-F, Bédard J (1992) Dynamics of fat and protein reserves during winter and spring migration in greater snow geese. Can J Zool 70:2077–2087

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier G, Bêty J, Hobson KA (2003) Are greater snow geese capital breeder? New evidence from a stable isotope model. Ecology 84:3250–3264

    Google Scholar 

  • Horton NJ, Lipsitz SR (1999) Review of software to fit generalized estimating equation regression models. Am Stat 53:160–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokko H (1999) Competition for early arrival in migratory birds. J Anim Ecol 68:940–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamprecht J (1986) Structure and causation of the dominance hierarchy in flock of bar-headed geese (Anser indicus). Behaviour 96:28–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Lande R, Shannon S (1996) The role of genetic variation in adaptation and population persistence in a changing environment. Evolution 50:434–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Hénaff D, Ouellet R, Lepage M, Maisonneuve C (1995) Utilisation du territoire du Nouveau-Québec par l’Oie des neiges, Chen caerulescens, en période de migration. Can Field Nat 109:408–412

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemel J (1989) Habitat distribution in the great tit Parus major in relation to reproductive success, dominance and biometry. Ornis Scand 20:226–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepage D, Gauthier G, Reed A (1998) Seasonal variation in growth of greater snow goose goslings: the role of food supply. Oecologia 114:226–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lepage D, Desrochers A, Gauthier G (1999) Seasonal decline of growth and fledging success in snow geese Anser caerulescens: an effect of date or parental quality? J Avian Biol 30:72–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepage D, Gauthier G, Menu S (2000) Reproductive consequences of egg-laying decisions in snow geese. J Anim Ecol 69:414–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lessells CM, Boag PT (1987) Unrepeatable repeatabilities: a common mistake. Auk 104:116–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Madsen J (2001) Spring migration strategies in pink-footed geese Anser brachyrhynchus and consequences for spring fattening and fecundity. Ardea 89:43–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Mainguy J, Bêty J, Gauthier G, Giroux J.-F (2002) Are body condition and reproductive effort of laying greater snow geese affected by the spring hunt? Condor 104:156–162

    Google Scholar 

  • McLandress MR, Raveling DG (1981) Hyperphagia and social behavior of Canada geese prior to spring migration. Wilson Bull 93:310–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Møller AP (1994) Phenotype-dependent arrival time and its consequences in a migratory bird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 35:115–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Møller AP (2001) Heritability of arrival date in a migratory bird. Proc R Soc Lond B 268:203–206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palomino JJ, Martin-Vivaldi M, Soler M (1998) Early arrival is not advantageous for rufous bush-robins parasitized by common cuckoos. Auk 115:235–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrins CM (1970) The timing of birds’ breeding seasons. Ibis 112:242–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Potti J (1998) Arrival time from spring migration in male pied flycatchers: individual consistency and familial resemblance. Condor 100:702–708

    Google Scholar 

  • Prop J, de Vries J (1993) Impact of snow and food conditions on the reproductive performance of barnacle geese Branta leucopsis. Ornis Scand 24:110–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Prop J, Black JM, Shimmings P (2003) Travel schedules to the high arctic: barnacle geese trade-off the timing of migration with accumulation of fat deposits. Oikos 103:403–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reed A, Hughes JR, Gauthier G (1995) Incubation behavior and body mass of female greater snow geese. Condor 97:993–1001

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed A, Giroux J.-F, Gauthier G (1998) Population size, productivity, harvest and distribution. In Batt BDJ (ed) The greater snow geese: report of the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group. Arctic Goose Joint Venture Special Publication, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington D.C. and Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario, pp 5–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed ET, Bêty J, Mainguy J, Gauthier G, Giroux J.-F (2003a) Molt migration in relation to breeding success in greater snow geese. Arctic 56:76–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed ET, Gauthier G, Pradel R, Lebreton J.-D (2003b) Age and environmental conditions affect recruitment in greater snow geese. Ecology 84:219–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees EC (1989) Consistency in the timing of migration for individual Bewick’s swans. Anim Behav 38:384–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe L, Ludwig D, Schluter D (1994) Time, condition, and the seasonal decline of avian clutch size. Am Nat 143:698–722

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (1999) SAS/STAT user’s guide. Release 8.0. SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.

  • Schaub M, Jenni L (2001) Variation of fuelling rates among sites, days and individuals in migrating passerine birds. Funct Ecol 15:584–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaub M, Liechti F, Jenni L (2004) Departure of migrating European robins, Erithacus rubecula, from a stopover site in relation to wind and rain. Anim Behav 67:229–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stahl J, Tolsma PH, Loonen MJJE, Drent RH (2001) Subordinates explore but dominants profit: resource competition in high arctic barnacle goose flocks. Anim Behav 61:257–264

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strode PK (2003) Implications of climate change for North American wood warblers (Parulidae). Global Change Biol 9:1137–1144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland WJ (1998) Evidence for flexibility and constraint in migration systems. J Avian Biol 29:441–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Tombre IM, Erikstad KE, Grabrielsen GW, Strann K.-B, Black JM (1996) Body condition and spring migration in high arctic barnacle geese. Wildl Biol 2:247–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber TP, Ens BJ, Houston AI (1998) Optimal avian migration: A dynamic model of fuel stores and site use. Evol Ecol 12:377–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber TP, Houston AI, Ens BJ (1999) Consequences of habitat loss at migratory stopover sites: a theoretical investigation. J Avian Biol 30:416–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster MS, Marra PP, Haig SM, Bensch S, Holmes RT (2002) Links between worlds: unraveling migratory connectivity. Trends Ecol Evol 17:76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to G. Gauthier, the Arctic Goose Joint Venture (Canadian Wildlife Service), the Fonds pour la Formation de Chercheurs at l’Aide à la Recherche (FCAR, Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec), the Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. The NSERC, FCAR and Université Laval provided financial assistance to J. Bêty. Logistic support was generously provided by the Polar Continental Shelf Project (Natural Resources Canada). Thanks to all people who participated in the field work, especially A. Béchet, I. Chouinard, F. Demers, D. Leclerc, N. Piedboeuf and F. St-Pierre. We also thank D. Berteaux, J. Nocera and M. Betts for their valuable comments on the manuscript, and the Hunters and Trappers Association of Pond Inlet, Nunavut Territory, for assistance and support. This is contribution no 024-04 of the PCSP.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Joël Bêty

    Present address: Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de Biologie and Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Pavillon Vachon, Sainte-Foy, QC, G1K 7P4, Canada

    Joël Bêty & Gilles Gauthier

  2. Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, 1200 St- Alexandre, Succursale Centre-ville, C.P. 8888, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Jean-François Giroux

Authors
  1. Joël Bêty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean-François Giroux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gilles Gauthier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Joël Bêty, Jean-François Giroux or Gilles Gauthier.

Additional information

Communicated by W. Wiltschko

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bêty, J., Giroux, JF. & Gauthier, G. Individual variation in timing of migration: causes and reproductive consequences in greater snow geese (Anser caerulescens atlanticus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 57, 1–8 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-004-0840-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-004-0840-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation