© Marcel Burkhardt
Publikationen
Liechti, F., S. Bauer, K. L. Dhanjal-Adams, T. Emmenegger, P. Zehtindjiev & S. Hahn (2018)
Miniaturized multi-sensor loggers provide new insight into year-round flight behaviour of small trans-Sahara avian migrants.
Further information
Mov. Ecol. 6:19
Contact
Abstract
Background: Over the past decade, the miniaturisation of animal borne tags such as geolocators and GPS-transmitters has revolutionized our knowledge of the whereabouts of migratory species. Novel light-weight multi-sensor loggers (1.4 g), which harbour sensors for measuring ambient light intensity, atmospheric pressure, temperature and acceleration, were fixed to two long-distance migrant bird species - eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops) and great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). Using acceleration and atmospheric pressure data recorded every 5 and 30 min, respectively, we aimed at reconstructing individual diurnal and seasonal patterns of flight activity and flight altitude and thereby, at describing basic, yet hitherto unknown characteristics of migratory flight behaviour. Furthermore, we wanted to characterise the variability in these migration characteristics between individuals, species and migration periods.
Results: The flight duration from breeding to sub-Saharan African non-breeding sites and back was more variable within than between the species. Great reed warblers were airborne for a total of 252 flight hours and thus, only slightly longer than eurasian hoopoes with 232 h. With a few exceptions, both species migrated predominantly nocturnally – departure around dusk and landing before dawn. Mean flight altitudes were higher during pre- than during post-breeding migration (median 1100 to 1600 m a.s.l.) and flight above 3000 m occurred regularly with a few great reed warblers exceeding 6000 m a.s.l. (max. 6458 m a.s.l.). Individuals changed flight altitudes repeatedly during a flight bout, indicating a continuous search for (more) favourable flight conditions.
Conclusions: We found high variation between individuals in the flight behaviour parameters measured – a variation that surprisingly even exceeded the variation between the species. More importantly, our results have shown that multi-sensor loggers have the potential to provide detailed insights into many fundamental aspects of individual behaviour in small aerial migrants. Combining the data recorded on the multiple sensors with, e.g., remote sensing data like weather and habitat quality on the spatial and temporal scale will be a great step forward to explore individual decisions during migration and their consequences.
key words: Biologging, Migration, Flight, Timing, Altitude, Activity, Eurasian hoopoe, Great reed warbler
Informationen Corona-Virus
Gemäss den Corona-Regelungen des Bundes bleibt das Besuchszentrum bis am 28. Februar 2021 geschlossen.
Unsere Vogelpflegestation funktioniert wie gewohnt weiter. Vögel nehmen wir täglich (Montag-Sonntag) von 09.00-12.00 und von 13.30-17.00 Uhr entgegen.
Aufgrund der verschärften Corona-Massnahmen sind unsere Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter grösstenteils im Home Office. Bitte haben Sie Verständnis, wenn wir momentan nicht alle Anfragen sofort bearbeiten können.
Wir sind Ihnen dankbar, wenn Sie uns primär per Mail kontaktieren, ausser in Notfällen.
Herzlichen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.
Ihre Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
Informations sur le virus Corona
Selon les mesures de la Confédération contre le coronavirus, le centre de visite sera fermé jusqu’au 28 février 2021.
Notre station de soins fonctionne normalement. Nous réceptionnons les oiseaux tous les jours (lundi-dimanche) de 09.00 à 12.00 et de 13.30 à 17.00.
En raison des mesures Covid plus strictes, la plupart de nos employés télétravaillent depuis leur domicile. Nous ne sommes actuellement pas en mesure de traiter toutes les demandes immédiatement. Nous vous serions reconnaissants de bien vouloir nous contacter principalement par courrier électronique, sauf en cas d'urgence.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension.
Votre Station ornithologique suisse de Sempach
Informazioni virus corona
In conformità alle misure della Confederazione contro il coronavirus, il Centro visite è chiuso fino al 28 febbraio 2021.
Il nostro Centro di cura per uccelli continua a funzionare normalmente. Gli uccelli vengono presi in consegna giornalmente (lunedì-domenica) dalle 09.00 alle 12.00 e dalle 13.30 alle 17.00.
A causa delle misure più severe di Corona, la maggior parte dei nostri dipendenti si trova nei loro uffici di casa. Vi preghiamo di comprendere che non possiamo elaborare tutte le richieste di informazioni immediatamente. Vi saremmo grati se poteste contattarci principalmente via e-mail. In caso di emergenza, tuttavia, siamo naturalmente a vostra disposizione. Grazie per la vostra comprensione.
La vostra Stazione ornitologica svizzera
Informations concerning the corona virus
Due to the measures taken by the Swiss government against the coronavirus, the visitor centre will be closed until February 28th 2021.
Our bird care station continues to operate as usual. We accept birds daily (Monday-Sunday) from 09.00-12.00 and from 13.30-17.00.
Due to the stricter Corona measures, most of our employees are in their home offices. Please understand that we cannot process all inquiries immediately. We would be grateful if you could contact us primarily by e-mail. In case of emergency we are of course available for you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Your Swiss Ornithological Institute