Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns
Abstract Background The majority of European Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) migrate south along the western coast of Europe and Africa, while birds from eastern regions are known to cross the Mediterranean Sea from east to west or migrate along the eastern African coast. The migration route of north...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Avian Research |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-020-00191-z |
| _version_ | 1797970164037189632 |
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| author | Jelena Kralj Miloš Martinović Luka Jurinović Péter Szinai Szandra Sütő Bálint Preiszner |
| author_facet | Jelena Kralj Miloš Martinović Luka Jurinović Péter Szinai Szandra Sütő Bálint Preiszner |
| author_sort | Jelena Kralj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The majority of European Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) migrate south along the western coast of Europe and Africa, while birds from eastern regions are known to cross the Mediterranean Sea from east to west or migrate along the eastern African coast. The migration route of north European terns wintering along the coast of western Africa was already described using geolocator data, while knowledge about movements of the European inland populations is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds. Methods We used light-level geolocators in inland Common Tern colonies in Hungary and Croatia to study their migration route and to identify wintering areas along with stopover sites. Results revealed by geolocators were compared with recoveries of ringed birds. Results All tracked birds used the east African migration route with autumn stopovers at Lower Nile and in the southern part of the Red Sea, and short spring stopover in Israel. Terns wintered along Kenyan coasts and in the southern Mozambique Channel. Autumn migration lasted four times longer than spring migration. Conclusions This is the first geolocator study that describes the east African migration route of the Common Tern. Important stopover sites were identified. More studies of inland populations are needed to better elucidate tern winter movements. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:13:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3661e3cae8e4441fb1a5c853b892cd90 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2053-7166 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T03:13:35Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Avian Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-3661e3cae8e4441fb1a5c853b892cd902023-01-02T11:02:13ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662020-03-0111111110.1186/s40657-020-00191-zGeolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common TernsJelena Kralj0Miloš Martinović1Luka Jurinović2Péter Szinai3Szandra Sütő4Bálint Preiszner5Institute of Ornithology, Croatian Academy of Sciences and ArtsInstitute of Ornithology, Croatian Academy of Sciences and ArtsPoultry Centre, Croatian Veterinary InstituteBalaton-felvidéki National Park DirectorateDepartment of Limnology, University of PannoniaBalaton Limnological Institute, MTA Centre for Ecological ResearchAbstract Background The majority of European Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) migrate south along the western coast of Europe and Africa, while birds from eastern regions are known to cross the Mediterranean Sea from east to west or migrate along the eastern African coast. The migration route of north European terns wintering along the coast of western Africa was already described using geolocator data, while knowledge about movements of the European inland populations is based only on relatively scarce recoveries of ringed birds. Methods We used light-level geolocators in inland Common Tern colonies in Hungary and Croatia to study their migration route and to identify wintering areas along with stopover sites. Results revealed by geolocators were compared with recoveries of ringed birds. Results All tracked birds used the east African migration route with autumn stopovers at Lower Nile and in the southern part of the Red Sea, and short spring stopover in Israel. Terns wintered along Kenyan coasts and in the southern Mozambique Channel. Autumn migration lasted four times longer than spring migration. Conclusions This is the first geolocator study that describes the east African migration route of the Common Tern. Important stopover sites were identified. More studies of inland populations are needed to better elucidate tern winter movements.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-020-00191-zInland populationLight-level geolocatorsMozambique ChannelRed SeaSterna hirundoStopover sites |
| spellingShingle | Jelena Kralj Miloš Martinović Luka Jurinović Péter Szinai Szandra Sütő Bálint Preiszner Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns Avian Research Inland population Light-level geolocators Mozambique Channel Red Sea Sterna hirundo Stopover sites |
| title | Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns |
| title_full | Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns |
| title_fullStr | Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns |
| title_short | Geolocator study reveals east African migration route of Central European Common Terns |
| title_sort | geolocator study reveals east african migration route of central european common terns |
| topic | Inland population Light-level geolocators Mozambique Channel Red Sea Sterna hirundo Stopover sites |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40657-020-00191-z |
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