Autumn Stopover on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec by Woodland Nearctic-Neotropic Migrants

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[edit] Author(s)

  • Winker, K.

[edit] Journal

Auk 112.3 (1995): 690-700.

[edit] Keywords

body size birds

[edit] Abstract

The Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico seems to cause a concentration of Nearctic-Neotropic migrant landbirds during migration. Despite its possible importance as an area for fat deposition, almost nothing is known about how this area is used by migrants. Of 11 small passerine species examined, 6 showed significant diurnal increases in body condition in relation to time of capture. All six showed gains suggesting low to moderate levels of fat deposition, concordant with the concept of the Isthmus as an important source of stopover resources. The area is not used in the same manner by all of these common species, however. The migrants at this site in autumn probably have not arrived via a long-distance, trans-Gulf migration. Comparison with data from other sources suggests that the energetic costs of molt are important at northerly stopover sites, and that modifications are needed in our concepts of Middle American migration routes.

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