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Quantitative magnetic resonance analysis and a morphometric predictive model reveal lean body mass changes in migrating Nearctic–Neotropical passerines

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Abstract

Most studies of lean mass dynamics in free-living passerine birds have focused on Old World species at geographical barriers where they are challenged to make the longest non-stop flight of their migration. We examined lean mass variation in New World passerines in an area where the distribution of stopover habitat does not require flights to exceed more than a few hours and most migrants stop flying well before fat stores near exhaustion. We used either quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) analysis or a morphometric model to measure or estimate, respectively, the fat and lean body mass of migrants during stopovers in New York, USA. With these data, we examined (1) variance in total body mass explained by lean body mass, (2) hourly rates of fat and lean body mass change in single-capture birds, and (3) net changes in fat and lean mass in recaptured birds. Lean mass contributed to 50% of the variation in total body mass among white-throated sparrows Zonotrichia albicollis and hermit thrushes Catharus guttatus. Lean mass of refueling gray catbirds Dumetella carolinensis and white-throated sparrows, respectively, increased 1.123 and 0.320 g h−1. Lean mass of ovenbirds Seiurus aurocapillus accounted for an estimated 33–40% of hourly gains in total body mass. On average 35% of the total mass gained among recaptured birds was lean mass. Substantial changes in passerine lean mass are not limited to times when birds are forced to make long, non-stop flights across barriers. Protein usage during migration is common across broad taxonomic groups, migration systems, and migration strategies.

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Acknowledgments

Abe Borker, Rafael Campos, Robert Haupt, Quentin Hays, Fred Norris, and Eric Slayton were of great assistance collecting data used in this study. We thank Nancy Clum, Peter Dorosh, John Jordan, Christine Sheppard, and Anne Wong for accommodating us in Bronx and Prospect Parks. Funding was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, and an NSERC Discovery Grant to CGG. Part of this research was undertaken as an Environmental Benefit Project funded through the resolution of an enforcement action for violations of the Environmental Conservation Law of New York State and its implementing regulations. All research protocols were approved by the University of Western Ontario’s Animal Use Subcommittee (Protocol # 2006-014-02) and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (Proposal 08-05). Bird capture was permitted by the State of New York (Fish and Wildlife License 44) and US Geological Survey (Bird Banding Permit 23452).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada

    Chad L. Seewagen & Christopher G. Guglielmo

  2. Department of Ornithology, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA

    Chad L. Seewagen

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  1. Chad L. Seewagen
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  2. Christopher G. Guglielmo
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Correspondence to Chad L. Seewagen.

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Communicated by I. D. Hume.

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Seewagen, C.L., Guglielmo, C.G. Quantitative magnetic resonance analysis and a morphometric predictive model reveal lean body mass changes in migrating Nearctic–Neotropical passerines. J Comp Physiol B 181, 413–421 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-010-0534-2

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