A Silvereye Dilemma: To Migrate or Not to Migrate?

Chan, Ken; Kikkawa, Jiro

doi:10.1071/mu97011

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…It is possible that birds recognize that they are already in their wintering area from environmental cues (e.g., geomagnetic parameters) and thus are not prompted to migrate. Alternatively, captivity may have affected the Tasmanian birds in another way: individual birds can vary in their migratory status between years, and the decision to migrate may be determined by both endogenous and environmental factors (Mees 1974;Chan and Kikkawa 1997;Chan 2005). Captive conditions (e.g., adequate food supplies, lack of competition, mild temperatures) may have acted as environmental cues and discouraged migration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The subspecies from mainland Australia, Z. l. familiaris, is found along the east coast of Australia (Keast 1958;Higgins et al 2006). Populations from the Sydney area and further north are nonmigratory, moving only locally (Liddy 1966;Swanson 1968;Lane 1972b;Chan and Kikkawa 1997;Nou 2002). Mainland silvereyes breed between August and March (Higgins et al 2006).…”

Section: Study Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

Funnell

Munro

2010

J Ethol

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We recorded the locomotor activity of the partially migratory Tasmanian silvereye, Zosterops l. lateralis, and the nonmigratory mainland silvereye, Z. l. familiaris, continuously over 17 and 15 months, respectively, to identify daily and seasonal patterns. While graphing the data showed several trends, statistical analysis did not reveal a significant difference between subspecies, making this study mainly descriptive in nature. The lack of statistical differentiation was possibly due to the low number of study animals and similarities between them. During the first year in captivity, the Tasmanian birds displayed heightened activity during the migratory periods, which was most likely migratory restlessness. The Tasmanian birds did not show any nocturnal activity as in previous laboratory and field studies, rather their activity patterns were similar to those of diurnal migrants, possibly reflecting the temporally variable nature of their migration. Although the Tasmanian birds displayed higher overall activity levels than the mainland birds during the first year in captivity, the activity patterns were similar between the subspecies. Captivity appeared to influence the activity of both subspecies in the second year of the study; following the onset of molt, neither subspecies regained the activity levels of the previous year, nor did activity follow the same pattern. Possible reasons (e.g., prevention of breeding) for this are discussed. This is the most detailed study to date on the daily and seasonal activity patterns of an Australian bird in captivity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

Funnell

Munro

2010

J Ethol

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“…The sexes of the birds were not known, since both subspecies cannot be sexed reliably on morphological features (Nou 2002; but see Kikkawa 1963). Previous studies have shown that both males and females from the Tasmanian population migrate in equal proportions (Chan and Kikkawa 1997).…”

Section: Study Birdsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Although a more recent classification system has been produced (Schodde and Mason 1999), Mees' classification system is more suited for use in the field (see Matter 2001) and is also widely employed in the literature (e.g. Wiltschko et al 1993;Chan and Kikkawa 1997;Chan 2001).…”

Section: Study Birdsmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Moult in captive partially migratory and sedentary Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) (Zosteropidae)

2006

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In this study, we describe and compare the duration and timing of post-breeding moult of primary and secondary wing feathers, tail feathers, wing coverts and body feathers in captive partially migratory and non-migratory Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis). This study allowed us to follow individual birds through the course of their moult and record the progression of moult in two populations. Both groups of birds underwent a conventional (or basic) post-breeding moult. While all birds followed a similar pattern of feather replacement, differences were found in the timing and duration of moult between migratory and nonmigratory birds. The migratory birds generally started their moult earlier in the year and completed it before the non-migratory birds. The migratory birds revealed an overall uniformity in the timing and duration of their moult, while the non-migratory birds showed a greater degree of variability between individuals.

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Orientation in captive migratory and sedentary Australian silvereyes Zosterops lateralis (Zosteropidae)

Funnell

Munro

2006

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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A Silvereye Dilemma: To Migrate or Not to Migrate?

Cited by 11 publications

References 7 publications

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of partially migratory and nonmigratory subspecies of the Australian silvereye, Zosterops lateralis, in captivity

Moult in captive partially migratory and sedentary Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) (Zosteropidae)

Orientation in captive migratory and sedentary Australian silvereyes Zosterops lateralis (Zosteropidae)

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