Do migrating White-crested Elaenia, Elaenia albiceps chilensis, use stop-over sites en route to their breeding areas? Evidence from the central Monte desert, Argentina
Very few bird species are able to complete a single long migratory flight. Instead, a far more common strategy is that birds rest and feed almost every day, accomplishing their journeys in a series of short flights. We evaluated if White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) displays evidence...
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Autores principales: | , , |
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Formato: | JOUR |
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Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_01584197_v116_n3_p301_Cueto |
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Sumario: | Very few bird species are able to complete a single long migratory flight. Instead, a far more common strategy is that birds rest and feed almost every day, accomplishing their journeys in a series of short flights. We evaluated if White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps chilensis) displays evidence of en route migratory disposition in the central Monte desert, Argentina. Recaptures and resights were lower for White-crested Elaenias than for Greater Wagtail-tyrants (Stigmatura budytoides; resident) and Southern Scrub-flycatchers (Sublegatus modestus; spring-summer visitor). The latter species showed site fidelity between years, but White-crested Elaenia did not. Percentage of individuals with cloacal protuberance was similar among the species, but individuals with brood patches were recorded only in Greater Wagtail-tyrants and Southern Scrub-flycatchers. White-crested Elaenias showed low, medium and high fat stores, while the other species presented no fat or low fat stores. White-crested Elaenia had a high level of fruit consumption, while the other species consumed fruits occasionally or not at all. Our results support the hypothesis that the White-crested Elaenia uses the Monte desert as a stop-over area during its spring flight, and yield novel insights to fill a gap in our knowledge about the annual cycle of migrant birds in the Neotropics. © BirdLife Australia 2016. |
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