Yellow warblers breed in Canada and overwinter in Central and South America. A new study shows that wind speed during their migration is the most important factor in determining their survival. (Photo credit: Drake et al. 2014)
A new study shows that survival and productivity of the yellow warbler depends most strongly the weather conditions during migration, rather that those in its breeding or wintering grounds.
Researchers banded and monitored 380 of the tiny songbirds, which which breed in western Canada and overwinter in Mexico and Central America, over seven breeding seasons. They found that wind speed during migration has the biggest impact on both survival and breeding success.
The finding underlines the importance of conserving habitat along migration routes.
Original research paper published in the the journal PLOS One on May 14, 2014.
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