Lower Predation Risk for Migratory Birds at High Latitudes

Predator Avoidance Strategy Selective pressures influencing bird migration can include availability of food, pressure from parasites and pathogens, and predation risk. The importance of the last of these is revealed by McKinnon et al. (p. 326 see the Perspective by Gilg and Yoccoz ), who present an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science
Main Authors: McKinnon, L., Smith, P. A., Nol, E., Martin, J. L., Doyle, F. I., Abraham, K. F., Gilchrist, H. G., Morrison, R. I. G., Bêty, J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2010
Subjects:
Arctic
Canada
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1183010
https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1183010
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Summary:Predator Avoidance Strategy Selective pressures influencing bird migration can include availability of food, pressure from parasites and pathogens, and predation risk. The importance of the last of these is revealed by McKinnon et al. (p. 326 see the Perspective by Gilg and Yoccoz ), who present an experimental analysis of the benefits of long-distance migration for reproduction in arctic-nesting birds. Measurements of a controlled effect of predation risk along a 3350-kilometer north-south gradient across arctic Canada provides evidence that the risk of nest predation decreases with latitude. Thus, birds migrating further north may acquire reproductive benefits in the form of reduced predation risk.

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