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Migration patterns of Hoopoe Upupa epops and Wryneck Jynx torquilla: an analysis of European ring recoveries

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Abstract

For many bird species, recovery of ringed individuals remains the best source of information about their migrations. In this study, we analyzed the recoveries of ringed European Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and the Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) from 1914 to 2005 from all European ringing schemes. The aim was to define general migration directions and to make inferences about the winter quarters, knowing that hardly any recoveries are available from sub-Saharan Africa. For the autumn migration, there is evidence of a migratory divide for the Hoopoe in Central Europe, at approximately 10–12°E. Autumn migration directions of Wrynecks gradually change from SW to SE depending on the longitude (west to east) of the ringing place. In both species, only a few recoveries were available indicating spring migration directions, but they showed similar migration axes as for autumn migration, and hence no evidence for loop-migration. Due to a paucity of recoveries on the African continent, we can make only limited inferences about wintering grounds: extrapolating migration directions are only indicative of the longitude of the wintering area. The directions of autumn migration indicate a typical pattern observed in European long-distance migrants: west-European Hoopoes and Wrynecks are likely to winter in western Africa, while central- and east-European birds probably winter more in the east. Due to the migratory divide, for the Hoopoe, this phenomenon is more pronounced.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to the European Union for Bird Ringing (EURING), particularly Chris du Feu, EURING Data Bank Co-ordinator, and all European ringing schemes that provided the recovery data of Hoopoes and Wrynecks. We thank Wolfgang Fiedler (Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Germany) and Elisabeth Wiprächtiger (Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach) for providing additional data. We are grateful for the statistical and mathematical support provided by Fränzi Korner-Nievergelt and Fitsum Abadi Gebreselassie.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Thomas S. Reichlin, Michael Schaub, Myles H. M. Menz, Murielle Mermod, Patricia Portner & Raphaël Arlettaz

  2. Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204, Sempach, Switzerland

    Thomas S. Reichlin, Michael Schaub & Lukas Jenni

  3. Swiss Ornithological Institute, Valais Field Station, Nature Centre, 3970, Salgesch, Switzerland

    Raphaël Arlettaz

Authors
  1. Thomas S. Reichlin
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  2. Michael Schaub
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  3. Myles H. M. Menz
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  4. Murielle Mermod
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  5. Patricia Portner
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  6. Raphaël Arlettaz
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  7. Lukas Jenni
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Correspondence to Thomas S. Reichlin.

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Communicated by F. Bairlein.

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Reichlin, T.S., Schaub, M., Menz, M.H.M. et al. Migration patterns of Hoopoe Upupa epops and Wryneck Jynx torquilla: an analysis of European ring recoveries. J Ornithol 150, 393–400 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-008-0361-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-008-0361-3

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