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Routes to genes: unravelling the control of avian migration—an integrated approach using Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe as model organism

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Abstract

Numerous studies in both the field and laboratory illustrate factors involved in the endogenous, intrinsic and environmental control of avian migration, but we are lacking an integrated individual-based approach, connecting field and laboratory studies in a single species. The Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe appeared very feasible for an integrated individual-based one-species approach in the study of the control of bird migration as it can be studied individually in the field as well as kept indoor under controlled ‘common-garden’ conditions. We here present a brief overview of the results collected in our wheatear studies on the intrinsic disposition and extrinsic factors that control migratory behavior in an obligate migratory species.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported financially by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (BA 816; SCHM 2647). We are also very grateful to the many other supporters who are listed in the respective publications.

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  1. Institute of Avian Research “Vogelwarte Helgoland”, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

    Franz Bairlein, Cas Eikenaar & Heiko Schmaljohann

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  1. Franz Bairlein
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  2. Cas Eikenaar
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  3. Heiko Schmaljohann
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Correspondence to Franz Bairlein.

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Communicated by E. Matthysen.

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Bairlein, F., Eikenaar, C. & Schmaljohann, H. Routes to genes: unravelling the control of avian migration—an integrated approach using Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe as model organism. J Ornithol 156 (Suppl 1), 3–14 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1224-3

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