Migration of Birds (1979)Lincoln, Frederick Charles
Science
Migration of Birds (1979)
Lincoln, Frederick Charles
Birds; Birds -- Migration
While it is beyond question that certain general directions of
flight are consistently followed by migratory birds, it is well to
remember the term "migration route" is to some extent a theoretical
concept referring to the lines of general advance or retreat of a
species, rather than the exact course followed by individual birds or
a path followed by a species with specific geographic or ecological
boundaries. Even the records of banded birds usually show no more
than the place of banding and recovery. One ought to have recourse to
intermediate records and reasoning based on probabilities to fill in
details of the route actually traversed between the two points. In
determining migration routes, one must constantly guard against the
false assumption that localities with many grounded migrants are on
the main path of migration and localities where no grounded migrants
are observed are off the main path.
There is also infinite variety in the routes covered during migration
by different species. In fact, the choice of migration highways is
so wide that is seems as if the routes of no two species coincide.
Differences in distance traveled, time of starting, speed of flight,
geographical position, latitudes of breeding and wintering grounds,
and other factors contribute to this great variation of migration
routes. Nevertheless, there are certain factors that serve to guide
individuals or groups of individuals along more or less definite
lines, and it is possible to define such lines of migration for many
species.
Except in a few species, individuals probably do not follow precisely
the same route twice. This is especially true in the group of
soaring birds that utilize thermals. Mueller and Berger (1967b)
recaptured only three migrants in subsequent years at Cedar Grove,
Wisconsin, after banding over 50,000 birds there. In general, those
populations of species with very discernible breeding or wintering
grounds have readily discernible migration routes. However, even the
whole migration process of certain species may show great yearly
fluctuations (Rudebeck 1950).
Aldrich et al. (1949) showed from banding data great variation in
migration patterns between species of waterfowl. In some species
there was considerable diversity in direction of movement, not only
of different breeding populations within a species but also for
different individuals of the same breeding population. The impression
is inescapable; waterfowl migration is even more complicated than
originally supposed, and it is difficult to make generalizations
with regard to migration pathways for even a single species let
alone waterfowl in general.
Flyways and Corridors
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account