A range-wide domino effect and resetting of the annual cycle in a migratory songbird.
Latitudinal differences in timing of breeding are well documented but how such differences carry over to influence timing of events in the annual cycle of migratory birds is not well understood. We examined geographical variation in timing of events throughout the year using light-level geolocator tracking data from 133 migratory tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor) originating from 12 North American breeding populations. A swallow's breeding latitude influenced timing of breeding, which then carried over to affect breeding ground departure. This resulted in subsequent effects on the arrival and departure schedules at autumn stopover locations and timing of arrival at non-breeding locations. This 'domino effect' between timing events was no longer apparent by the time individuals departed for spring migration. Our range-wide analysis demonstrates the lasting impact breeding latitude can have on migration schedules but also highlights how such timing relationships can reset when individuals reside at non-breeding sites for extended periods of time.
['Gow|Elizabeth A|EA|', 'Burke|Lauren|L|', 'Winkler|David W|DW|', 'Knight|Samantha M|SM|', 'Bradley|David W|DW|', 'Clark|Robert G|RG|', 'Bélisle|Marc|M|', 'Berzins|Lisha L|LL|', 'Blake|Tricia|T|', 'Bridge|Eli S|ES|', 'Dawson|Russell D|RD|', 'Dunn|Peter O|PO|', 'Garant|Dany|D|', 'Holroyd|Geoff|G|', 'Horn|Andrew G|AG|', 'Hussell|David J T|DJT|', 'Lansdorp|Olga|O|', 'Laughlin|Andrew J|AJ|', 'Leonard|Marty L|ML|', 'Pelletier|Fanie|F|', 'Shutler|Dave|D|', 'Siefferman|Lynn|L|', 'Taylor|Caz M|CM|', 'Trefry|Helen|H|', 'Vleck|Carol M|CM|', 'Vleck|David|D|', 'Whittingham|Linda A|LA|', 'Norris|D Ryan|DR|']
D063147:Animal Distribution D025041:Animal Migration D000818:Animals D002170:Canada D005843:Geography D012098:Reproduction D012621:Seasons D046388:Swallows D014481:United States
timing of breeding tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor migration carry-over effects life history