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Partial altitudinal migration of a Himalayan Forest pheasant.
Nawang Norbu1, Martin C Wikelski, David S Wilcove
1Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Lamai Gompa, Bumtang, Bhutan. norbu.nawang@gmail.com
Plos One
|May 10, 2013
Summary
Altitudinal migration in the Himalayas is complex, not just simple up-and-down movements. Satyr tragopans exhibit partial migration patterns, with females migrating more than males.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Altitudinal migration systems remain poorly understood.
- Recent advances in animal telemetry offer new insights into migration patterns.
- Understanding these systems is crucial for conservation and predicting species' responses to climate change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the complex altitudinal migration patterns of the Satyr tragopan (Tragopan satyra) in the Himalayas.
- To test existing hypotheses regarding altitudinal migration using advanced telemetry.
- To contribute to a better understanding of partial and altitudinal migration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GPS/accelerometer tags to monitor the migration of 38 Satyr tragopans over three years (2009-2011).
- Tracked migration distances, durations, and timing of fall and return migrations.
- Analyzed migration patterns in relation to environmental factors like snowfall and sexual differences.
Main Results:
- Satyr tragopans exhibit partial altitudinal migration, with fall migration from September to November and return migration in March-April.
- Migrants traveled distances ranging from 1.25 km to 13.5 km.
- Observed three distinct migration patterns: crossing mountains, longitudinal movement, and seasonal elevation changes. Snowfall did not influence migration onset, and site fidelity was observed. More females migrated than males.
Conclusions:
- Altitudinal migration systems are complex, involving more than simple vertical movements.
- Findings challenge existing hypotheses and highlight the need to consider inter- and intra-sexual differences in migration.
- This research provides a foundation for understanding how altitudinal migrants may respond to climate change.
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