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Survival throughout the annual cycle of first year Canada Jays in the context of sibling competition, expulsion, and adoption Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-03-15 Matthew Fuirst, Dan Strickland, Nikole E Freeman, Alex O Sutton, Brendan A Graham, Theresa Burg, D Ryan Norris
For most birds that exhibit delayed dispersal (remaining on the natal territory rather than dispersing to seek a breeding opportunity), siblings appear free to stay or leave the natal area. However, in rare cases, delaying dispersal is determined via conflict among siblings, with the dominant individual remaining on the natal territory. We used radio-tracking to examine brood reduction, and subsequent
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Feather growth rate and hormone deposition vary with elevation but not reproductive costs in resident Mountain Chickadees Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Benjamin R Sonnenberg, Carrie L Branch, Angela M Pitera, Lauren M Benedict, Virginia K Heinen, Jenny Q Ouyang, Vladimir V Pravosudov
Many organisms engage in metabolic trade-offs to manage costs associated with reproductive output which often leads to these costs carrying over into the future. Compensatory mechanisms vary across life-history strategies and are expected to result in near optimal fitness gains for the investor. Here we investigated whether environmental differences associated with increasing montane elevation and
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Barometric geolocators can reveal unprecedented details about the migratory ecology of small birds Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-02-24 Garrett S Rhyne, Philip C Stouffer, Martins Briedis, Raphaël Nussbaumer
Knowing the location of migratory birds throughout their annual cycle is fundamental for many questions in ornithology. Technological advances have provided several approaches, with increasing miniaturization allowing deployment on smaller and smaller birds. Here, we examine the strengths and limitations of barometric pressure geolocators (pressure tags) which have recently been shown to be extremely
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Satellite tracking of American Woodcock reveals a gradient of migration strategies Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-02-06 Sarah J Clements, Liam A Berigan, Alexander C Fish, Rachel L Darling, Amber M Roth, Greg Balkcom, Bobbi Carpenter, Gary Costanzo, Jeffrey Duguay, Kayleigh Filkins, Clayton L Graham, William Harvey, Michael Hook, Douglas L Howell, Seth Maddox, Scott McWilliams, Shawn W Mayer, Theodore C Nichols, J Bruce Pollard, Christian Roy, David Sausville, Colby Slezak, Josh Stiller, Jacob Straub, Mathieu Tetreault
Diversity in behavior is important for migratory birds in adapting to dynamic environmental and habitat conditions and responding to global change. Migratory behavior can be described by a variety of factors that comprise migration strategies. We characterized variation in migration strategies in American Woodcock (Scolopax minor), a migratory gamebird experiencing long-term population decline, using
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Diversification and dispersal in the Americas revealed by new phylogenies of the wrens and allies (Passeriformes: Certhioidea) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-02-06 Tyler S Imfeld, F Keith Barker, Hernán Vázquez-Miranda, Jaime A Chaves, Patricia Escalante, Garth M Spellman, John Klicka
The passerine superfamily Certhioidea lacks a complete phylogeny despite decades of recognition as a clade and extensive systematic work within all its constituent families. Here, we inferred a near-complete species-level phylogeny of Certhioidea from a molecular supermatrix, including the first comprehensive sampling of the wrens (Troglodytidae), and used this phylogeny to infer its biogeographic
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Food and social cues modulate reproductive development but not migratory behavior in a nomadic songbird, the Pine Siskin Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-27 Ben J Vernasco, Jamie M Cornelius, Heather E Watts
Many animals rely on photoperiodic and non-photoperiodic environmental cues to gather information and appropriately time life-history stages across the annual cycle, such as reproduction, molt, and migration. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that the reproductive physiology, but not migratory behavior, of captive Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) responds to both food and social cues during the spring
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Birds that breed exclusively on islands have smaller clutches Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-25 Michał T Jezierski
The “island syndrome” refers to similarity in the biology of island organisms, but its generality is questionable, as the scope of species and traits examined are often limited. Here, I show that birds breeding exclusively on islands (breeding island endemics) evolved smaller clutches, using a dataset of 4,530 bird species. Using an inclusive definition of a breeding island endemic, which also encompasses
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The need for proper archiving and referencing of sound recordings in taxonomic studies of birds Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-18 Rafael Dantas Lima
A survey of recent taxonomic studies of birds that included acoustic trait analyses reveals that most studies have not archived the sound recordings that support their conclusions, despite the current availability of online, publicly available collections of bird sounds. In addition, bird sound recordings have often been cited without unique accession numbers that permit unambiguous sample identification
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Social behavior among nocturnally migrating birds revealed by automated moonwatching Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-13 Eli S Bridge, Wesley T Honeycutt, Angela J Chen, Riley Miller, Jeffrey F Kelly
Migrating birds often fly in group formations during the daytime, whereas at night, it is generally presumed that they fly singly. However, it is difficult to quantify group behavior during nocturnal migration as there are few means of directly observing interactions among individuals. We employed an automated form of moonwatching to estimate percentages of birds that appear to migrate in groups during
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Lesser Woodcreepers excavate nest cavities in trees Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-12 Kristina L Cockle, Milka R Gomez, Carlos A Ferreyra, Facundo G Di Sallo, Alejandro Bodrati
To understand the evolution, life-history tradeoffs, and population ecology of cavity nesters, it is critical to identify the avian lineages and circumstances in which birds excavate tree cavities. Woodcreepers (Furnariidae: Dendrocolaptinae; 56 species) are considered non-excavators dependent on existing cavities. We overturn this assumption by providing definitive evidence that the Lesser Woodcreeper
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Extended molt phenology models improve inferences about molt duration and timing Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Philipp H Boersch-Supan, Hugh J Hanmer, Robert A Robinson
Molt is an essential life-history event in birds and many mammals, as maintenance of feathers and fur is critical for survival. Despite this molt remains an understudied life-history event. Non-standard statistical techniques are required to estimate the phenology of molt from observations of plumage or pelage state, and existing molt phenology models have strict sampling requirements that can be difficult
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Punctuated evolution of bill morphology in the largest family of songbirds (Thraupidae) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Nicholas T Vinciguerra, Jenna M McCullough, Kevin J Burns
We assessed correlations between speciation rate and bill morphology (size, shape, and evolutionary rate) in a diverse and broadly distributed songbird radiation, the tanagers (Thraupidae). Our analyses showed that bill size, shape, and their evolutionary rates are not correlated with speciation rate. However, we did find evidence that each axis of variation in bill morphology diversifies at speciation
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Plumage coloration differs between offspring raised in natural cavities and nestboxes Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2024-01-10 Katarzyna Janas, Irene Di Lecce, Marta Szulkin, Joanna Sudyka
Most of our knowledge of secondary hole-nesting birds comes from populations breeding in human-provided nestboxes, yet these might differ from natural cavities in a number of parameters, including internal dimensions or microclimate, leading to differences in reproductive ecology. Here, we demonstrate differences in plumage coloration, an important visual signal of individual quality, in Blue Tit (Cyanistes
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Machine learning reveals that climate, geography, and cultural drift all predict bird song variation in coastal Zonotrichia leucophrys Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-12-19 Jiaying Yang, Bryan C Carstens, Kaiya L Provost
Previous work has demonstrated that there is extensive variation in the songs of White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) throughout the species range, including between neighboring (and genetically distinct) subspecies Z. l. nuttalli and Z. l. pugetensis. Using a machine learning approach to bioacoustic analysis, we demonstrate that variation in song is correlated with year of recording (representing
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How Veeries vary: Whole genome sequencing resolves genetic structure in a long-distance migratory bird Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 Abigail A Kimmitt, Teresa M Pegan, Andrew W Jones, Kevin Winker, Benjamin M Winger
In high-latitude species with high dispersal ability, such as long-distance migratory birds, populations are often assumed to exhibit little genetic structure due to high gene flow or recent postglacial expansion. We sequenced over 120 low-coverage whole genomes from across the breeding range of a long-distance migratory bird, the Veery (Catharus fuscescens), revealing strong evidence for isolation
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Amazonian avian biogeography: Broadscale patterns, microevolutionary processes, and habitat-specific models revealed by multidisciplinary approaches Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-11-25 João Marcos Guimarães Capurucho, Lukas J Musher, Alexander Lees, Marco A Rego, Glaucia Del-Rio, Alexandre Aleixo, Vanessa E Luzuriaga-Aveiga, Mateus Ferreira, Camila C Ribas, Gregory Thom
Our understanding of Amazonian biogeography is quickly increasing, catalyzed by the growing use of genomic datasets, improved knowledge of species distributions, and the accumulation of new data on the geological and climatic history of the region. The high number of species in Amazonia and their intricate patterns of geographic distribution triggered the development of many diversification hypotheses
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Magnolia Warbler flight calls demonstrate individuality and variation by season and recording location Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-11-15 Elliott M Ress, Andrew Farnsworth, Sara R Morris, Michael Lanzone, Benjamin M Van Doren
Flight calls are short vocalizations frequently associated with migratory behavior that may maintain group structure, signal individual identity, and facilitate intra- and interspecific communication. In this study, Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) flight call characteristics varied significantly by season and recording location, but not age or sex, and an individual’s flight calls were significantly
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Telomere length links with physiological phenotype and breeding patterns in a long-lived seabird Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-09-18 Mauricio Guillen-Parra, Alberto Velando, Rocio Barcenas-Flores, Leticia Nicolás-Toledo, Roxana Torres
Telomere length (TL) is known to covary with a suite of physiological traits involved in energy balances that may influence breeding success. Thus, TL may be an indicator of individual-quality, influencing mate choice and breeding strategies. In the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), a long-lived seabird, we investigated in a total of 72 pairs, whether TL may indicate the individual physiological phenotype
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Visual predators and diurnal nest predation provide support for the Skutch Hypothesis and explain evolved incubation behaviors in a montane tropical bird community Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-09-11 Necmiye Şahin Arslan, Thomas E Martin
The Skutch (1949) Hypothesis that nest predation risk constrains parental nest activity has important implications for the evolution of parental care strategies, but the required conditions for the hypothesis to operate have been questioned. We found the necessary conditions existed in a montane tropical bird community where 95.4% of predation events (n = 456) occurred during daylight hours and almost
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Climate change outpaces adaptive potential via hybridization in nesting female Saltmarsh and Nelson’s sparrows Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-08-05 Logan M Maxwell, Jennifer Walsh, Brian J Olsen, Adrienne I Kovach
Hybridization and introgression can promote adaptive potential and evolutionary resilience in response to increased pressures of climate change; they can also disrupt local adaptation and lead to outbreeding depression. We investigated female fitness consequences of hybridization in two sister species that are endemic to a threatened tidal marsh ecosystem: Saltmarsh (Ammospiza caudacutus) and Nelson’s
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Reproductive roles as likely drivers of sexual dimorphism in New Zealand’s endangered mountain parrot, the Kea Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-08-04 Lydia R W McLean, Travis W Horton, Bruce C Robertson, Fiona Robertson, Amanda L Greer, J Nelson
New Zealand’s endangered mountain parrot, the Kea (Nestor notabilis), exhibits moderate male-biased sexual size dimorphism in linear body measurements (~5%) and a pronounced dimorphism in bill size (12–14%). Using stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen in Kea feathers and blood sampled from a significant portion (~10%) of the extant population, we determined that Kea bill dimorphism may be
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Considerations for fitting occupancy models to data from eBird and similar volunteer-collected data Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-21 Wesley M Hochachka, Viviana Ruiz Gutierrez, Alison Johnston
An occupancy model makes use of data that are structured as sets of repeated visits to each of many sites, in order estimate the actual probability of occupancy (i.e., proportion of occupied sites) after correcting for imperfect detection using the information contained in the sets of repeated observations. We explore the conditions under which preexisting, volunteer-collected data from the citizen
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Similar parasite communities but dissimilar infection patterns in two closely related chickadee species Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-14 Angela N Theodosopoulos, Kathryn C Grabenstein, Mia E Larrieu, Vanessa Arnold, Scott A Taylor
Haemosporidian parasite communities are broadly similar in Boulder County, Colorado, between two common songbirds –– the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli). However, Mountain Chickadees appear more likely to be infected with Plasmodium, and potentially experience higher infection burdens with Leucocytozoon in contrast to Black-capped Chickadees. We
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DNA metabarcoding reveals rangewide variation in aquatic diet of a riparian avian insectivore, the Prothonotary Warbler Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 Samantha L Rogers, Brian C Verrelli, Paul A Bukaveckas, Elizabeth M Ames, Joseph Youtz, Than J Boves, Erik I Johnson, Christopher M Tonra, Lesley P Bulluck
Riparian avian insectivores not only depend on terrestrial insect prey but also benefit from the inclusion of aquatic prey during critical life-history periods. Diets identified herein show that Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) nestlings were provisioned with aquatic prey throughout the breeding season across their range, but with variation in prey frequency of occurrence and taxonomy. Anthropogenic
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Local food availability and nonbreeding carry-over effects affect breeding propensity and success of a tundra-nesting predator, the Long-tailed Jaeger Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 Yannick Seyer, Gilles Gauthier, Joël Bêty, Jean-François Therrien, Pierre Legagneux, Nicolas Lecomte
Reproduction of long-distance migrants can be affected by local conditions on the breeding grounds as well as those encountered during the nonbreeding season through carry-over effects. We show that this is true in Long-tailed Jaegers (Stercorarius longicaudus) because individuals that spent less time flying at sea during winter had a high breeding propensity and a reduced pre-laying interval, but
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Elevational differences in migration phenology of Lazuli Buntings do not support selection-based hypotheses for protandry Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-22 Kim Savides, Clark S Rushing
Documenting and understanding sex-specific variation in migratory phenology is important for predicting avian population dynamics. In spring, males often arrive on the breeding grounds before females (protandry), though whether these patterns result from fitness benefits versus sex-specific constraints on arrival timing remains poorly understood. Sex-specific variation in the timing of fall migration
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Community-sourced sightings of atypical birds can be used to understand the evolution of plumage color and pattern Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-16 Stepfanie M Aguillon, Allison J Shultz
Birds are known for their brilliant colors and extraordinary patterns. Sightings of individuals with atypical plumage often cause considerable excitement in the birding public, but receive little attention beyond reporting one-off sightings by the scientific community. In this Perspective, we argue that sightings of individuals with atypical plumage submitted to community science platforms hold the
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Unmasking hidden genetic, vocal, and size variation in the Masked Flowerpiercer along the Andes supports two species separated by Northern Peruvian Low Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-08 Silvia C Martínez-Gómez, Carlos Esteban Lara, J V Remsen, Jr., Robb T Brumfield, Andrés M Cuervo
Genetic divergence among isolated populations is not always reflected in phenotypic differentiation. We investigated the genetic and phenotypic differentiation in Diglossa cyanea (Thraupidae; Masked Flowerpiercer), a widely distributed species in the tropical Andes. We found strong evidence for two main lineages separated by the Marañón River valley in the Northern Peruvian Low (NPL). These two lineages
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The biotic and abiotic drivers of timing of breeding and the consequences of breeding early in changing world Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-06-01 Alex O Sutton, Nikole E Freeman
The decision of when to breed is an important determinant of individual fitness. However, despite a multitude of studies investigating the intraspecific relationship between timing of breeding and reproductive performance, less is known about why the strength of this relationship varies between species. Furthermore, environmental change has the potential to alter the relationship between lay date and
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The adaptive significance of off-lek sociality in birds: A synthetic review, with evidence for the reproductive benefits hypothesis in Long-wattled Umbrellabirds Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-17 H Luke Anderson, Jorge Olivo, Jordan Karubian
Anecdotal evidence suggests that lekking birds exhibit considerable variation in form and degree of sociality away from the lek, yet this phenomenon has received very little theoretical or empirical research attention. Here, we provide the first synthetic literature review of off-lek sociality in birds and develop a conceptual framework for the potential adaptive function of off-lek sociality across
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Ultraconserved elements support the elevation of a new avian family, Eurocephalidae, the white-crowned shrikes Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-14 Jenna M McCullough, Jack P Hruska, Carl H Oliveros, Robert G Moyle, Michael J Andersen
In this study, we infer genus-level relationships within shrikes (Laniidae), crows (Corvidae), and their allies using ultraconserved elements (UCEs). We confirm previous results of the Crested Shrikejay (Platylophus galericulatus) as comprising its own taxonomic family and find strong support for its sister relationship to laniid shrikes. We also find strong support that the African-endemic genus Eurocephalus
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Pacific Barrow’s Goldeneye refine migratory phenology in response to overwintering temperatures and annual snow melt Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-12 Jesse Kemp, W Sean Boyd, Tesia M Forstner, Daniel Esler, Timothy D Bowman, David C Douglas, Danica Hogan, Malcolm McAdie, Jonathan E Thompson, Megan Willie, David J Green
Timing of seasonal bird migrations is broadly determined by internal biological clocks, which are synchronized by photoperiod, but individuals often refine their migratory timing decisions in response to external factors. Using 11 years of satellite telemetry data, we show that Pacific Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), at higher latitudes, initiated spring and molt migrations later and fall
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Phylogenomic analysis confirms the relationships among toucans, toucan-barbets, and New World barbets but reveals paraphyly of Selenidera toucanets and evidence for mitonuclear discordance Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-05-04 Emily N Ostrow, Therese A Catanach, John M Bates, Alexandre Aleixo, Jason D Weckstein
We reconstruct the species-level phylogenetic relationship among toucans, toucan-barbets, New World barbets using phylogenomic data to assess the monophyly and relationships at the family, generic, and specific levels. Our analyses confirmed (1) the monophyly of toucans (Aves: Ramphastidae), toucan-barbets (Aves: Semnornithidae), and New World barbets (Aves: Capitonidae) and that the toucan-barbets
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Long-term, not short-term, temperatures predict timing of egg-laying in European Starling Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-27 Kathryn M Leonard, Tony D Williams
Temperature, particularly within ~1 month of egg-laying, is thought to be an important, short-term cue used by female birds to calibrate timing of breeding to local conditions. Here we show that a relatively broad, long-term, temperature window (January 2 to April 4, 92 days; r2 = 0.73) best predicted timing of egg-laying in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). A “mid-winter” temperature window was
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Sex, body size, and winter weather explain migration strategies in a partial migrant population of American Kestrels Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-27 Sadie C Ranck, Christina M Garsvo, Darin M Schwartz, Linda M Reynard, Matthew J Kohn, Julie A Heath
Given increasing evidence that climate change affects the annual cycles of birds, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying individual migration strategies and population-level patterns in partial migrants. In this study, we found that thermoregulation (body size and winter temperatures) was a key driver of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) migration decisions. The annual proportion
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Lineage diversity in a widely distributed New World passerine bird, the House Wren Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-22 John Klicka, Kevin Epperly, Brian Tilston Smith, Garth M Spellman, Jaime A Chaves, Patricia Escalante, Christopher C Witt, Ricardo Canales-del-Castillo, Robert M Zink
We explored the evolutionary radiation in the House Wren complex (Troglodytes aedon and allies), the New World's most widely distributed passerine species. The complex has been the source of ongoing taxonomic debate. To evaluate phenotypic variation in the House Wren complex, we collected 81,182 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from restriction site associated loci (RADseq) and mitochondrial
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Causes and consequences of nest-site fidelity in a tropical lekking bird: Win-stay-lose-shift tactics are unrelated to subsequent success, but site-faithful females nest earlier Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-19 Jenevieve E Norton, Emily H DuVal
Nest-site selection influences the survival of care-giving parents and their offspring, but search costs and site availability may limit site choices. Returning to previous nest sites may reduce costs and allow parents to better avoid local predators or access familiar resources. We investigated nest-site fidelity in the Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), in which long-lived females raise
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Geographically consistent hybridization dynamics between the Black-crested and Tufted Titmouse with evidence of hybrid zone expansion Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-08 Georgy A Semenov, Claire M Curry, Michael A Patten, Jason T Weir, Scott A Taylor
We studied hybridization between the Black-crested and Tufted titmouse across two geographically distinct transects that differ in the timing of secondary contact by hundreds to thousands of years. We found that hybridization patterns correspond to localized hybrid swarms and that the titmouse hybrid zone is likely slowly expanding over time, a product of short post-natal dispersal distances coupled
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Studying individual-level interactions can transform our understanding of avian mixed-species flocks Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-04-07 Laura N Vander Meiden, Daizaburo Shizuka, Allison E Johnson
Avian mixed-species flocks are ubiquitous across habitats and a model for studying how heterospecific sociality influences the behavior and composition of animal communities. Here, we review the literature on mixed-species flocks and argue that a renewed focus on individual-level interactions among flock members can transform our understanding of this iconic, avian social system. Specifically, we suggest
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Sulfur isotopic discrimination factors differ among avian tissues and diets: Insights from a case study in Gentoo Penguins Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-03-31 Natalia G Rosciano, Angela R Stahl, Michael J Polito
The use of stable isotopes of sulfur (δ 34S) to infer avian diets, foraging habitats, and movements is relatively uncommon, resulting in a lack of information on patterns of δ 34S incorporation in avian tissue. In a controlled study of Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua), we found that diet-tissue isotopic discrimination factors (Δ 34Sdiet-tissue) differed among egg components and feathers synthesized
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Beaver activity and red squirrel presence predict bird assemblages in boreal Canada Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-17 Mariano J Feldman, Marc J Mazerolle, Louis Imbeau, Nicole J Fenton
Wetlands and predation in boreal ecosystems play essential roles throughout the breeding season for bird assemblages. We found a positive association of beaver activity and a negative influence of American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) on bird assemblages. We used a multispecies hierarchical model to investigate whether bird communities differ between two major wetland habitats in boreal
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Singing on the nest is a widespread behavior in incubating Northern Mockingbirds and increases probability of nest predation Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-17 Christine M Stracey, Karina Sanchez, Brishauna Brown, Dakota Hawkins, Tricia Shepherd
In this study, we documented for the first time singing on the nest (SOTN) in 74% of 65 Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) nests that were monitored with continuous-running video cameras (8,353.9 hr sampled). As predicted, higher rates of SOTN significantly decreased daily survival rates of nests. SOTN occurred almost exclusively by females during the egg stage and in 86% (48 of 56) of nests
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Haemosporidian infection prevalence varies temporally and spatially and Leucocytozoon infections are male biased in Song Sparrows Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-16 Leanne A Grieves, Lydia Balogh, Tosha R Kelly, Elizabeth A MacDougall-Shackleton
Haemosporidian parasites are significant global drivers of avian disease and infections are affected by complex ecological and biological interactions. We quantified variation in haemosporidian infection prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon in 311 Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) from 2 breeding populations across years, seasons, age classes and sexes, finding significant differences
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Faster growth and larger size at crèche onset are associated with higher offspring survival in Adélie Penguins Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-02-16 Scott Jennings, Katie M Dugger, Grant Ballard, David G Ainley
We conducted the first assessment of Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) chick survival that accounts for imperfect resighting. We found that when chicks are larger in size when they enter the crèche stage (the period when both parents forage at the same time and chicks are left relatively unprotected), they have a higher probability of survival to fledging. We investigated the relationships between
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Ultraconserved elements resolve the phylogeny and corroborate patterns of molecular rate variation in herons (Aves: Ardeidae) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-22 Jack P Hruska, Jesse Holmes, Carl Oliveros, Subir Shakya, Philip Lavretsky, Kevin G McCracken, Frederick H Sheldon, Robert G Moyle
Thoroughly sampled and well-supported phylogenetic trees are essential to taxonomy and to guide studies of evolution and ecology. Despite extensive prior inquiry, a comprehensive tree of heron relationships (Aves: Ardeidae) has not yet been published. As a result, the classification of this family remains unstable, and their evolutionary history remains poorly studied. Here, we sample genome-wide ultraconserved
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Female and male plumage brightness is positively correlated among populations of the dichromatic Variable Seedeater Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-11 Diego Ocampo, Gilbert Barrantes, J Albert C Uy
Because studies of plumage coloration often focus on highly elaborate and conspicuous males, little is known about the factors driving the evolution of drab plumage in females of dichromatic species. We explored variation in the color properties of drab female plumage across subspecies of the Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina), and found a correlation between plumage brightness of male and female
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Barn Swallows in East Asia show strong tolerance against nest mites Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2023-01-09 Yu Liu, Li Tian, Zhuoya Zhou, Kai Gao, De Chen, Donglai Li, Yong Wang, Zhengwang Zhang
Hosts defend against parasites through two main strategies: resistance and tolerance. These two strategies have different influences on the parasite load of the host and so have variable effects on the fitness of parasites. In this study, we investigated the strategy used by the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) to defend against a haematophagous mite (Dermanyssus hirundinis) in East Asia. For the first
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Gradual transitions in genetics and songs between coastal and inland populations of Setophaga townsendi Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-12-20 Madelyn J Ore, Silu Wang, Darren E Irwin
Setophaga townsendi is a species of wood warbler (family Parulidae) in northwestern North America that has geographic structure in the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes: while interior populations have differentiated mitonuclear ancestry from the sister species S. occidentalis, coastal populations have a mix of inland and S. occidentalis mitonuclear ancestries. This coastal to inland transition in
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Mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellites reveal population genetic structure of the range-restricted hummingbird Phaeoptila sordida in the Balsas Basin Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-12-16 Mariana Hernández-Soto, Yuyini Licona-Vera, Juan Francisco Ornelas
The Dusky Hummingbird Phaeoptila sordida (= Cynanthus sordidus), occurs in the Balsas Basin, a region with a complex biogeographical history, and in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley and Valles Centrales in Puebla and Oaxaca, Mexico. However, the biogeographical and evolutionary history of these two regions of Mexico is poorly understood. We aimed to understand the genetic structure and phylogeographic
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Evidence of differing staging strategies between adult and juvenile Semipalmated Sandpipers highlights the importance of small staging sites in Atlantic Canada Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-12-07 Rebeca C Linhart, Diana J Hamilton, Julie Paquet, Cheri L Gratto-Trevor
Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) are Arctic-breeding shorebirds that use staging sites in Atlantic Canada during their southbound migration to South America. The upper Bay of Fundy is recognized as a critical staging area, but hundreds of smaller sites outside the Bay of Fundy also host staging Semipalmated Sandpipers and have received comparatively little attention. Using the Motus Wildlife
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Asymmetric song recognition does not influence gene flow in an emergent songbird hybrid zone Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-11-04 William E Brooks, Peter H Wimberger
Hybrid zones can be used to examine the mechanisms, like song recognition, that affect reproductive isolation and speciation. Song has mixed support as a driver of speciation; we did not find song to be associated with reproductive isolation in White-crowned Sparrow subspecies (Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis and Z. l. gambelii). We examined an emerging secondary contact zone in these subspecies
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A rallid ballad: Communal signaling is correlated with year-round territoriality in the most duet-rich family of birds (Gruiformes: Rallidae) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-10-26 Daniel L Goldberg, Ben M Sadd, Angelo P Capparella
Duetting, in which 2 or more individuals call in coordinated unison, is common in birds, yet most research investigating the function of avian duets has focused only on oscine passerines. However, we have discovered that duetting occurs in 61 species (59%) in the family Rallidae (rails), one of the highest known rates in any bird clade, and that rail duets are also significantly associated with year-round
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Professional ethics survey identifies strengths and areas for improvement in the American Ornithological Society Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-10-26 Jennifer Walsh, Reed Bowman, Jeffrey D Brawn, Kristen M Covino, Katie M Dugger, Robert C Fleischer, Jennifer L Houtz, Sean M Mahoney, Melinda Pruett-Jones, Corey E Tarwater, Jeanne Fair
In response to a growing need to foster ethical behavior within scientific societies, the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS) professional ethics committee conduct a survey of members in spring 2021 to identify the primary challenges and ethical conduct concerns. The survey indicated that the AOS has a strong culture of professional ethics and highlighted areas needing improvement. Participants
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Painting the Bunting: Carotenoids and structural elements combine to produce the feather coloration of the male Painted Bunting Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-10-25 Nicholas M Justyn, Ryan J Weaver
Male Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris) display at least 6 distinct plumage colors that encapsulate much of the visible light spectrum, yet the specific mechanisms responsible for generating this diversity of color have not been identified. Here, we show that metabolically derived carotenoids and nanostructures capable of producing structural color were ubiquitous across feather patches. We used digital
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Long-term winter food supplementation shows no significant impact on reproductive performance in Mountain Chickadees in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-10-15 Benjamin R Sonnenberg, Joseph F Welklin, Carrie L Branch, Angela M Pitera, Lauren M Benedict, Virginia K Heinen, Dovid Y Kozlovsky, Eli S Bridge, Vladimir V Pravosudov
Supplemental feeding of wild animal populations is popular across many areas of the world and has long been considered beneficial, especially to avian taxa. Over four billion dollars are spent by hobby bird feeders in the United States each year alone. However, there is mixed evidence whether wildlife feeding is beneficial, including when it is implemented as a conservation management tool, a targeted
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Early nest initiation and vegetation density enhance nest survival in Wild Turkeys Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-09-30 Allison C Keever, Bret A Collier, Michael J Chamberlain, Bradley S Cohen
The theory of adaptive habitat selection suggests resource selection by animals should reflect underlying quality, such that individual selection confers an adaptive advantage via increased fitness. Using resource selection functions and nest survival models, we demonstrated that visual obstruction at the nest site was adaptively significant but timing of nest initiation had the greatest effect on
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Genomic and geographic diversification of a “great-speciator” (Rhipidura rufifrons) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-09-13 Lukas B Klicka, Luke C Campillo, Joseph D Manthey, Michael J Andersen, John P Dumbacher, Christopher E Filardi, Leo Joseph, J Albert C Uy, Douglas E Weidemann, Robert G Moyle
The radiation of so-called “great speciators” represents a paradox among the myriad of avian radiations endemic to the southwest Pacific. In such radiations, lineages otherwise capable of dispersing across vast distances of open ocean differentiate rapidly and frequently across relatively short geographic barriers. Here, we evaluate the phylogeography of the Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons). Although
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Underestimated Neotropical diversity: Integrative taxonomy reveals two unrelated look-alike species in a suboscine bird (Pachyramphus albogriseus) Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-27 Lukas J Musher, Niels K Krabbe, Juan I Areta
We applied an integrative taxonomic framework to evaluate the systematics of the Neotropical Black-and-white Becard (Pachyramphus albogriseus Sclater 1857). Combining phylogenomic (ultraconserved elements), morphological, and vocalization data, we confirmed that this species is polyphyletic; some individuals form a clade sister to P. polychopterus and should be afforded species rank as P. salvini Richmond
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Updating splits, lumps, and shuffles: Reconciling GenBank names with standardized avian taxonomies Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-26 Peter A Hosner, Min Zhao, Rebecca T Kimball, Edward L Braun, J Gordon Burleigh
Biodiversity research has advanced by testing expectations of ecological and evolutionary hypotheses through the linking of large-scale genetic, distributional, and trait datasets. The rise of molecular systematics over the past 30 years has resulted in a wealth of DNA sequences from around the globe. Yet, advances in molecular systematics also have created taxonomic instability, as new estimates of
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No evidence that endohelminth parasites cause selection against hybrid orioles across the Baltimore–Bullock’s Oriole hybrid zone Auk (IF 2.3) Pub Date : 2022-08-19 Vanya G Rohwer, Lea M Callan, John M Kinsella, Russell A Ligon
The Baltimore–Bullock’s oriole hybrid zone is one of the best-studied avian hybrid zones in North America, yet our understanding of the causes of selection against hybrids remains poor. We examine if endohelminth parasites may cause selection against hybrid orioles but found no evidence for this hypothesis. Of the 139 male orioles we examined, 43 individuals contained endohelminth parasites from at