American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are one of the most widespread migratory songbirds across North America. They have capitalized in habitats both tropical and arctic, ranging from the southern tip of Mexico all the way to Alaska. Within this single species, multiple migratory behaviors have evolved; some populations are resident, some are long-distance migrants, some are short-distance migrants, and some even migrate in one year, and forego migration the next.
Closely related to American Robins are other thrushes that are also part of the genus Turdus; species such as the White-throated Thrush (Turdus albicollis), the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus), the Chiguanco Thrush (Turdus chiguanco), the Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii), the Yellow-legged Thrush (Turdus flavipes), the Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas), and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). These Central and South American counterparts of the American Robin also represent a suite of migratory strategies across their range.
Closely related to American Robins are other thrushes that are also part of the genus Turdus; species such as the White-throated Thrush (Turdus albicollis), the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus), the Chiguanco Thrush (Turdus chiguanco), the Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii), the Yellow-legged Thrush (Turdus flavipes), the Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas), and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). These Central and South American counterparts of the American Robin also represent a suite of migratory strategies across their range.
A comparative approach is a powerful way to better understand how and why these different migratory strategies evolved. Along with a suite of collaborators who work on these different species (the 'TurdusNet' team), we collect and share data to answer questions such as: What ecological factors shape facultative vs. obligate migration? What is a bird's reproductive strategy at different latitudes? What is the relationship between spring arrival date on the breeding grounds and reproductive success? What are the carryover effects of wintering habitat quality on reproductive success? The answers to these questions not only offer new insights into why birds migrate, but they also are pertinent to understanding how birds are affected by climate and habitat change across the planet.
To answer some of these questions, we have been deploying GPS Pinpoint tags on Turdus thrushes across various study sites. These tags have been pre-programmed to collect a select number of satellite fixes over several months' time. The year following deployment, researchers go back to deployment sites in the hopes of recapturing individuals that were fitted with tags. Recapture is critical to gain access to the data stored on the tags, as the tags cannot remotely transfer GPS information. If the tag is retrieved, we will be able to create maps that display a bird's wintering habitat, migratory routes, and stopover locations used during migration. For more up-to-date news on this research, see the Turdus Net website and the team's newest paper on American Robin migration.
To answer some of these questions, we have been deploying GPS Pinpoint tags on Turdus thrushes across various study sites. These tags have been pre-programmed to collect a select number of satellite fixes over several months' time. The year following deployment, researchers go back to deployment sites in the hopes of recapturing individuals that were fitted with tags. Recapture is critical to gain access to the data stored on the tags, as the tags cannot remotely transfer GPS information. If the tag is retrieved, we will be able to create maps that display a bird's wintering habitat, migratory routes, and stopover locations used during migration. For more up-to-date news on this research, see the Turdus Net website and the team's newest paper on American Robin migration.
Header photo © Jacob Gaposchkin