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Fuel stores, time of spring, and movement behavior influence stopover duration of Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

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Abstract

Long-distance migration is characterized by periods of flight, when energy stores are consumed, and periods of stopover, when energy stores are replenished. The duration of the migratory period is largely determined by time spent at stopover sites. The time constraints imposed on spring migrants should act to minimize the time spent on migration, yet spring migrants often remain at stopover sites for extended periods. We measured the influence of arrival fuel stores, arrival date, and foraging movement rate on the duration of Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) that remained at stopover sites for more than 1 day. We captured spring migrants in mist-nets as they arrived after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. We released them at an inland site and continuously followed (radio-tracked) their movements until departure. Departure time was confirmed with extensive ground searches and aerial surveys. Migrants remained at the stopover sites from 1 to 8 days (2.80 ± 0.14 days). Less than one-third of migrants were transient, leaving the night following release (32 %). Of the migrants that remained more than 1 day, those that arrived with low fuel stores remained longer than those that arrived with more fuel stores. Only migrants arriving early in the spring stayed for extended periods of time (>5 days). Further, migrants that moved faster within the stopover landscape presumably replenished fuel stores faster because they did not remain as long as migrants that did not move as quickly. When arrival fuel stores, arrival day, and departure day were known, we found multiple factors influenced the length of stay at spring stopover sites. Early spring migrants with low fuel stores that moved slowly through the landscape spent the most time at spring stopover sites.

Zusammenfassung

Energiereserven, Frühjahrszeitpunkt und Bewegungsverhalten beeinflussen die Rastdauer beim Rotaugenvireo Vireo olivaceus

Der Langstreckenzug ist gekennzeichnet durch Flugphasen, in denen Energiereserven verbraucht werden, und durch Rastphasen, in denen diese Energiereserven wieder aufgefüllt werden. Die Gesamtlänge der Zugperiode wird zum großen Teil durch die Aufenthaltsdauer an den Rastplätzen bestimmt. Die zeitlichen Zwänge beim Frühjahrszug sollten eine Minimierung der Zugdauer bewirken; trotzdem verweilen Vögel auf dem Frühjahrszug oft längerfristig in den Rastgebieten. Wir bestimmten den Einfluss der Energiereserven bei Ankunft, des Ankunftsdatums und der Bewegungsmuster auf die Verweildauer von Rotaugenvireos (Vireo olivaceus), die sich länger als einen Tag im Rastgebiet aufhielten. Dazu fingen wir die Vögel auf dem Frühjahrszug mit Japannetzen bei ihrer Ankunft nach der Überquerung des Golfs von Mexiko. Danach ließen wir sie im Binnenland wieder frei und verfolgten ihre Bewegungen per Radiotelemetrie kontinuierlich bis zum Weiterflug. Der Abflugzeitpunkt wurde durch weiträumige Suche am Boden sowie durch Lufterkundung bestätigt. Die Zugvögel verweilten zwischen einem und acht Tagen (2.80 ± 0.14 Tage) in den Rastgebieten. Weniger als ein Drittel der Vögel waren Durchzügler, die bereits in der auf die Freilassung folgenden Nacht weiterflogen (32 %). Von den Zugvögeln, die sich länger als einen Tag aufhielten, blieben diejenigen, welche mit geringeren Energiereserven angekommen waren, länger als die, welche mit mehr Energiereserven eintrafen. Nur Zugvögel, welche im zeitigen Frühjahr ankamen, hielten sich über einen längeren Zeitraum (>fünf Tage) auf. Des Weiteren füllten Zugvögel, die sich in der Landschaft des Rastgebiets schneller bewegten, ihre Energiereserven vermutlich auch rascher wieder auf, da sie nicht so lange verweilten, wie Zugvögel, die sich weniger schnell bewegten. Waren die Energiereserven bei Ankunft, das Ankunftsdatum und der Abflugtag bekannt, fanden wir mehrere Faktoren, welche die Aufenthaltsdauer in den Frühjahrsrastgebieten beeinflussten. Zugvögel zu Beginn des Frühjahrs, die geringe Energiereserven hatten und sich langsam in der Landschaft bewegten, verbrachten somit die längste Zeit in den Frühjahrsrastgebieten.

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Acknowledgments

Logistical support was provided by J. Johnson and D. Hudson at Fort Polk and L. Bennett at Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. We would especially like to thank the members of the migratory bird research group at USM and all of the hard-working assistants who helped us collect data in the field. Funding for this project was provided by the US Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the University of Southern Mississippi. This study was conducted in full compliance with the laws of the United States of America.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA

    Emily B. Cohen & Frank R. Moore

  2. Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA

    Richard A. Fischer

  3. Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, PO Box 37012, MRC 5503, 20013, Washington, DC, USA

    Emily B. Cohen

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  1. Emily B. Cohen
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Correspondence to Emily B. Cohen.

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Cohen, E.B., Moore, F.R. & Fischer, R.A. Fuel stores, time of spring, and movement behavior influence stopover duration of Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus . J Ornithol 155, 785–792 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-014-1067-3

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