Abstract
By analysing the deuterium concentration in the scapulars and rectrices (δ2Hf) of breeding and spring migrating Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana), we found a high correlation attesting that spring body and central rectrices have grown in similar isotopic environments. Furthermore, we failed to find a correlation between δ2Hf of the rectrices and the amount-weighted growing season precipitation δ2Hp of sites where we captured the birds. Winter-grown body coverts and rectrices displayed similar probabilistic assignments to origin. Further examination of 76 tails of breeding birds captured in Finland in May–June confirmed that breeding birds wear recently moulted central rectrices. The body coverts are known to moult during the winter partial moult in that species, but the rectrices have been reported to moult only once a year, during the complete post-breeding moult occurring on the breeding grounds in summer. Here, we reveal the common replacement of the central pair in winter, as well. The winter tail moult could occur beyond the central pair in some individuals, but this has still to be confirmed or refuted, by, e.g., further isotopic investigations.
Zusammenfassung
Stabile Isotope belegen eine verbreitete Wintermauser der mittleren Steuerfedern bei einem langstreckenziehenden Singvogel
Bei der Analyse der Deuteriumkonzentration (δ2Hf) in den Schulter- und Steuerfedern von Ortolanen Emberiza hortulana zur Brutzeit und auf dem Frühjahrszug fanden wir eine starke Korrelation, welche belegt, dass die im Frühling getragenen Körper- und mittleren Steuerfedern in isotopisch ähnlicher Umgebung gewachsen waren. Des Weiteren fanden wir keine Korrelation zwischen dem δ2Hf-Wert der Steuerfedern und dem nach Menge gewichteten δ2Hp-Wert des Niederschlags während der Wachstumsperiode an den Orten, an denen die Vögel gefangen wurden. Die im Winter vermauserten Körperdecken und Steuerfedern zeigten ähnliche Zuordnungen zu wahrscheinlichen Herkunftsgebieten. Die weitere Untersuchung von 76 Steuern von zwischen Mai-Juni in Finnland gefangenen Brutvögeln bestätigte, dass Brutvögel frisch vermauserte mittlere Steuerfedern trugen. Es ist bekannt, dass diese Vogelart das Körperdeckgefieder während der Winterteilmauser erneuert, allerdings hieß es, dass die Steuerfedern nur einmal jährlich, während der Sommerkomplettmauser im Brutgebiet, gemausert würden. Wir belegen hier, dass das mittlere Paar häufig auch im Winter vermausert wird. Bei manchen Individuen könnte die Steuerfedermauser außer dem mittleren auch weitere Federpaare umfassen; dies muss aber noch z. B. durch weitere Isotopenstudien bestätigt oder widerlegt werden.
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Ackowledgements
We are grateful to all our colleagues who helped in the field work, monitoring and capturing of the buntings. We thank two anonymous reviewers who provided important insights to clarify the moult patterns of buntings. This research was funded by Conseil Général des Landes, Région Aquitaine, Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs des Landes (FDC40), Association Départementale des Chasses Traditionnelles à la Matole (ADCTM), French Ministry in charge of the Environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada supported the stable isotope analyses through an operating grant to Keith Hobson. The Polish National Science Centre (NCN) partially promoted the research in Poland—MS was funded by Grant no. N N304 0198 40.
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Jiguet, F., Kardynal, K.J., Piha, M. et al. Stable isotopes reveal the common winter moult of central rectrices in a long-distance migrant songbird. J Ornithol 160, 1077–1085 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01671-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01671-w