Variability among autumn migration patterns of Mongolian Common Shelducks ( Tadorna tadorna )

摘要: Avian migrants moving between common breeding and wintering areas may adopt different migration routes, consequently affect timing. However, this pattern has rarely been investigated, especially in waterbirds. Moreover, autumn patterns of the Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) have never studied. We used GPS transmitters to track, for first time, East Asia (n = 14). The undertook a broadly northwest–southeast migration, taking mean 91.7 ± 38.7 (SD) days cover distance 1712.9 ± 450.5 km at speed 89.4 ± 226.5 km/day. birds 2.5 ± 1.8 stopover sites, total duration was 81.9 ± 38.7 days. There were considerable between-individual variations onset (24 August 28 September) completion (29 September 11 January) (1070.2–2396.4 km), (14.7‒734.0 km/day), index straightness (0.6‒1.0), (1.5‒151.8 days), times (0‒5) durations (0‒148.1). More direct routes associated with fewer shorter stopovers (p = 0.003 both cases). Post-breeding site habitat use similar individuals, whereas varied considerably within individuals. Our study showed remarkable variability patterns, which likely refuelling en route. To understand fully diversity flexibility habitat-use, we need track more increase representativeness, using accelerometer-integrated investigate behaviours habitats.