Small intra-tropical long-distance migratory birds track rainy seasons across hemispheres

The main features of long-distance migration are derived from landbirds breeding in the Northern Hemisphere. Little is known about migration within the tropics, presumably because tropical species typically move opportunistically and over shorter distances. However, such generalizations are weakened by a lack of solid data on spatial, temporal and behavioural patterns of intra-tropical migrations. To start filling the research gap, we provide comprehensive data for small-sized intra-African migrants, woodland kingfishers. We inferred stationary locations, migration timing, flight behaviour and wind experienced en route from multi-sensor loggers recording atmospheric pressure, light and acceleration. After breeding in South Africa, all tagged individuals migrated 4000 km to South Sudan, spending their non-breeding period within 100 km of each other. Thereby, woodland kingfishers tracked their climatic niche, using two rainy seasons in open woodland across the Equator. Migratory flights were strictly nocturnal, reaching 2890 m.a.s.l. Flights were unusually short, but lengthened when crossing rainforests, a behavioural adjustment similar to barrier-crossing along well-described flyways. These results suggest that long-distance intra-tropical migration displays patterns that are surprisingly similar to other flyways. Pending confirmation in other species, intra-tropical migrations might be more extensive and less flexible than assumed, underlining the importance of further research guiding conservation efforts.