Flighted Migrations
Kristen Mancuso
PhD
Biology, UBC Okanagan
Songbirds in Decline
Songbird populations across North America have declined by upwards of 30% since 1970, impacting food webs and ecosystems.
Understanding songbird migration ecology – breeding, migration, and overwintering habits – is critical to making informed conservation efforts.
Details about migration routes and overwintering areas are unknown for most populations of song birds.
Songbirds face many threats across their migratory routes, including the loss and fragmentation of habitat, environmental contamination, and climate change.
Baseline data showing how populations are connected and identifying the impact of potential threats to survival are needed.
Since 2016 Kristen has studied the migratory patterns of the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) and the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis).
Kristen tracks migration patterns using light-level geolocators and GPS tags and looks for clues of physiological threats by examining molted feathers.
This kind of work requires a network of partners. To successfully complete her research, Kristen works with governments, universities, non-government organizations, Indigenous groups, and bird observatories across North America.
Songbirds play an important role in the ecosystem such as pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. They also have deep ties into human culture, supporting spirituality, health, and the economy.
Understanding songbird migration ecology – breeding, migration, and overwintering habits – is critical to making informed conservation efforts.
“Flighted Migrations” by the UBC Okanagan Library is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
UBC Okanagan Library
