Variation in deuterium (delta D) signatures of Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia feathers grown on breeding and wintering grounds
Back to previous page
| Authors: | Quinlan, SP; Green, DJ |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Journal: | Journal of Ornithology 152: 93-101 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | Variation in deuterium (delta D) signatures of Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia feathers grown on breeding and wintering grounds |
| Abstract: | Stable isotope analysis of feathers may help track populations of migratory birds throughout their annual cycle. We use deuterium isotope ratios in feathers (delta D-f) to confirm that Yellow Warblers Dendroica petechia go through both a prebasic molt on or near their breeding grounds and a prealternate molt on their wintering grounds, and evaluate whether delta D analysis of different feather types can help assign birds to breeding and winter origins. We show that primary coverts and tail feathers have delta D-f values that reflect long-term average deuterium isotope ratios in precipitation (delta D-P) on the breeding grounds. Most greater coverts and crown feathers, however, have delta D-f values that are more enriched than predicted based on the delta D-P of their wintering distribution. We also found significant interannual variation in the delta D-f values of tail feathers, greater coverts and crown feathers. Interannual variation in delta D-f of winter-grown feathers may be explained by El Nio/La Nia conditions that influence rainfall and thus delta D-P; feathers were more depleted following an El Nio year (2005) than a La Nia year (2006). Gender had no effect on the delta D-f values of any feathers sampled. Age influenced the delta D-f values of crown feathers but not greater coverts. This study therefore confirms that delta D-f of summer-grown feathers can be used to identify breeding locations, but suggests that the ability to use delta D-f of winter-grown feathers to assign individuals to winter locations is limited by weak spatial gradients and temporal variation in delta D-P. |
Please send suggestions for improving this publication database to
sass-support@sfu.ca.
Departmental members may update their publication list.