Migration pattern of Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow along the Pacific Flyway

摘要: White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) populations of western North America exhibit dramatic differences in life history strategies including migration behavior. However, individual and population-level migratory patterns remain largely unknown for this species. Here, we focused on the long-distance subspecies, Gambel’s leucophrys gambelii). We used ringing, tracking stable hydrogen isotope (δ2H) analysis individuals migrating along Pacific Flyway to assess phenology routes as well pattern connectivity between breeding non-breeding sites. Results from all three methods, consisting 79 ring recoveries, four light level geolocator tracks 388 feather δ2H values, indicate low degrees connectivity. The data provide evidence leapfrog with more southerly traveling greater distances grounds than centrally wintering individuals. Location estimates annual journeys revealed individually consistent relatively short flight bouts separated by two six stopover sites during spring autumn migration, respectively. combined results methods high variability distance among These findings confirm phenotypic flexibility observed within species highlight potential Sparrows further investigations evolutionary adaptations ongoing changes environment.