Revealing migratory path, important stopovers and non-breeding areas of a boreal songbird in steep decline

Abstract: The Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) is a steeply declining aerial insectivore with one of the longest migrations of any North American passerine. We deployed light-level geolocators and archival GPS tags on breeders in boreal Alaska to determine migratory routes, important stopovers and non-breeding locations. Data from 16 individuals revealed a median 23,555 km annual journey (range: 19,387, 27,292 km) over 95 days (range: 83, 139 days) with wintering occurring in three regions of South America (NW Colombia/Ecuador, central Peru and W Brazil/S Peru). We developed a new method to identify “Important Stopovers” by quantifying intensity of use (a function of bird numbers and stop durations) along migratory routes. We identified 13 Important Stopovers that accounted for ~66% of the annual migratory period, suggestive of refueling activities. Some sites coincided with key areas previously identified for other Neotropical-Nearctic migrants. Percent land “protected” at Important Stopovers, as defined by IUCN, ranged from 3.8% to 49.3% (mean [95% CI]: 17.3% [9.6, 25.0]). Total migration speed did not differ by season (median: 255 km day-1, range: 182, 295km day-1), despite greater spring travel distances. Birds with longer non-breeding periods, however, migrated north faster. Climate-driven mismatches in migratory timing may be less of a concern for western than for eastern flycatcher populations, given recent con-generic analyses (C. sordidulus, C. virens). However, accelerated high-latitude changes, may nonetheless impact boreal breeders.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Revealing migratory path, important stopovers and non-breeding areas of a boreal songbird in steep decline ; volume:8 ; number:1 ; year:2021 ; pages:168-191 ; extent:24 ; Animal migration ; 8, Heft 1 (2021), 168-191 (gesamt 24)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Hagelin, Julie C. ; Hallworth, Michael T. ; Barger, Christopher P. ; Johnson, James A. ; DuBour, Kristin A. ; Pendelton, Grey W. ; DeCicco, Lucas H. ; McDuffie, Laura A. ; Matsuoka, Steven M. ; Snively, Marian A. ; Marra, Peter P. ; Taylor, Audrey

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/ami-2020-0116
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024041515521100283901
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:44 AM CEST