Flight speeds of migrating seabirds in the Strait of Gibraltar and their relation to wind

Mateos-Rodríguez, María; Bruderer, Bruno

doi:10.1007/s10336-012-0814-6

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As we predicted in our hypotheses, the capacity to adapt the flight pattern to wind conditions can be constrained by flight type and morphological characteristics of the different species. Mateos-Rodríguez and Bruderer [45], for the same range of species as in our study, showed that these species responded differently to the wind in terms of airspeeds, depending on their morphological characteristics and flight behaviour. In the same way, morphological parameters and flight type could determine seabirds' directional behaviour.…”

Section: The Case Of a Gliding Speciessupporting

confidence: 73%

Do Seabirds Control Wind Drift during Their Migration across the Strait of Gibraltar? A Study Using Remote Tracking by Radar

Arroyo

Mateos-Rodríguez²

2022

Remote Sensing

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study presents data on the directional flying behaviour of the five most abundant seabird species migrating across the Strait of Gibraltar in relation to the wind, as observed from the north coast, based on radar tracking, and identified to species level by visual observations. A total of 318 seabird trajectories were analysed, illustrating the expected east–west or west–east movements in spring and autumn. We hypothesised that the seabirds that cross the Strait channel during their migrations would behave differently with respect to compensation for wind direction, depending on their flight styles, the migratory period, and the prevailing winds. In this regard, our results showed that flapping birds (Razorbill, Puffin, Northern Gannet, and Balearic shearwater) compensated for wind drift independently of the season and the predominant wind direction. This agrees with the theory that suggests that under moderate winds and whenever visual contact with the coastline is present (as in the case of our study), migrants should compensate for wind drift to avoid being drifted towards the coast, off their main direction of flight. However, Cory’s shearwater, an active gliding seabird with long, slender wings, showed an adaptive directional response to wind, allowing it to be drifted in spring when westerly tailwinds were prevalent, but compensated for wind in autumn, when both easterly and westerly winds were similarly frequent. This adaptive flight behaviour allows it to take advantage of the prevailing tailwinds in spring, gaining ground speed and saving energy during its passage through the Strait, while in autumn, more frequent headwind conditions and a more directional migration to the south may favour compensating for wind drift. Our results support the usefulness of bird radar as a remote tool for describing the pattern of animal movements in the marine environment, as well as their behavioural response to atmospheric conditions. These studies are particularly relevant in the current framework of climate change.

show abstract

Section: The Case Of a Gliding Speciessupporting

confidence: 73%

Do Seabirds Control Wind Drift during Their Migration across the Strait of Gibraltar? A Study Using Remote Tracking by Radar

Arroyo

Mateos-Rodríguez²

2022

Remote Sensing

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Numerous studies have shown that migrants using flapping flight increase their airspeed in headwinds, however analysis and interpretation is occasionally hampered by the method used to quantify supporting winds (Shamoun-Baranes et al 2007 ). Coastal observations indicate seabirds mostly decrease airspeed with tailwinds and increase airspeed in headwinds, similar to landbirds (Mateos-Rodríguez and Bruderer 2012 ). Biologging has shown that during sea crossings, lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus increase their airspeed during flapping flight in headwinds and cross winds, but still fly slower than optimal for minimizing energy expenditure (McLaren et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Individual Responsementioning

confidence: 69%

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The extraordinary adaptations of birds to contend with atmospheric conditions during their migratory flights have captivated ecologists for decades. During the 21st century technological advances have sparked a revival of research into the influence of weather on migrating birds. Using biologging technology, flight behaviour is measured across entire flyways, weather radar networks quantify large-scale migratory fluxes, citizen scientists gather observations of migrant birds and mechanistic models are used to simulate migration in dynamic aerial environments. In this review, we first introduce the most relevant microscale, mesoscale and synoptic scale atmospheric phenomena from the point of view of a migrating bird. We then provide an overview of the individual responses of migrant birds (when, where and how to fly) in relation to these phenomena. We explore the cumulative impact of individual responses to weather during migration, and the consequences thereof for populations and migratory systems. In general, individual birds seem to have a much more flexible response to weather than previously thought, but we also note similarities in migratory behaviour across taxa. We propose various avenues for future research through which we expect to derive more fundamental insights into the influence of weather on the evolution of migratory behaviour and the life-history, population dynamics and species distributions of migrant birds.

show abstract

“…Observation of the combined nocturnal bird stream confirmed that airspeed was faster under headwinds and slower under tailwinds (Bloch & Bruderer 1982, Liechti 1995, Hedenström et al 2002, Nilsson et al 2014. Tracking radar estimates of the speed of particular species were mainly recorded for diurnal migrants identified by telescope or binoculars (Bruderer & Boldt 2001, Mateos & Bruderer 2012, caught and released nocturnal migrants (Griffiths 1970, Bruderer & Boldt 2001; or for free flying birds equipped with radio-transmitters (Cochran & Wikelski 2005, Cochran et al 2008.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Airspeed of the Song Thrush in relation to the wind during autumnal nocturnal migration

Sinelschikova,

Griffiths,

Vorotkov

et al. 2019

Ornis Fenn

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Birds possess behavioural and physiological adaptations which permit them to minimize time and energy expenditure during migration in a broad spectrum of winds, for instance, by varying their airspeed. Nocturnally migrating birds were recorded by an optical-electronic matrix system, which permitted recording their images and flight parameters in the dark. Among medium size birds, Song Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) were identified by their silhouette, linear size, wing-beat pattern, and phenology. The equivalent airspeed at sea level (VEq) of the observed thrushes without wind assistance (mean value 14.4 m/s) was close to the maximum range speed (Vmr) predicted from flight mechanical theory. This indicated an energy-selected migration strategy of the thrushes in autumn. The characteristic speed Vmr is wind-dependent: it increases with increasing velocity of head- and sidewinds. The airspeeds of the Song Thrushes showed a similar pattern of wind-dependence.

show abstract

Flight speeds of migrating seabirds in the Strait of Gibraltar and their relation to wind

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Do Seabirds Control Wind Drift during Their Migration across the Strait of Gibraltar? A Study Using Remote Tracking by Radar

Do Seabirds Control Wind Drift during Their Migration across the Strait of Gibraltar? A Study Using Remote Tracking by Radar

Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds

Airspeed of the Song Thrush in relation to the wind during autumnal nocturnal migration

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About