The Condor 108:446–451 # The Cooper Ornithological Society 2006

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Canada; Greenland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.597.2008; http://www.zmuc.dk/VerWeb/staff/kthorup/Kt-pdf/Condor108-446.pdf

Abstract. We present data suggesting that North-ern Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa) breed-ing in West Greenland and Canada may be able to accomplish migration to their wintering grounds in West Africa in one direct, transatlantic crossing of more than 4000 km (great circle distance). This conclusion is based on analyses of wing lengths, body weights, and timing of departure from West Greenland and arrival on an island 350 km off the coast of Morocco. Previously, it has been suggested that Nearctic wheatears migrate to Africa by a two-step journey, the first leg comprising a shorter transatlantic crossing to western Europe. A long, direct flight has previously been considered unfeasi-ble as the predicted flight costs were considered to be