Determining migratory connectivity is essential to understanding population dynamics and managing and conserving migratory species. Gallinago delicata (Wilson's Snipe) is a widely hunted wetland bird distributed throughout North America and parts of South America with little known regarding migratory strategy, connectivity, or population trends. Here, we used stable hydrogen isotope analysis of feathers to identify breeding areas and determine the degree of migratory mixing of 323 G. delicata harvested in Florida during the nonbreeding season. Our results demonstrate a high degree of migratory mixing between breeding and nonbreeding seasons and provide evidence that breeding birds from throughout Canada and the northwestern United States migrate to Florida. We also found evidence of long-distance migration across both latitudinal and longitudinal bands, with 104 individuals traveling from breeding grounds in western Canada or Alaska to nonbreeding habitat in Florida; the farthest-traveling individual likely migrated at least 4,270 km. Our findings highlight the crucial role of active and coordinated monitoring and management of the widely harvested G. delicata, which as long-distance migrants are disproportionately vulnerable to global environmental change.
LAY SUMMARY
Migratory wetland birds face unique pressures from habitat change, harvest, and other human-caused factors.
The degree that populations “mix” between breeding and nonbreeding habitats, and how far individuals travel between those habitats, is important to understand population dynamics and to monitor and manage populations.
We used the chemical signatures in the feathers of Gallinago delicata (Wilson's Snipe) harvested in Florida in the nonbreeding season to determine breeding origins.
Breeding habitat of G. delicata found in Florida extends from eastern Canada to Alaska. Many of the G. delicata we studied may have spent the breeding season in central Canada, an area associated with recent population declines.
Because G. delicata mix widely between breeding and nonbreeding habitats, it is essential to better coordinate monitoring and conservation efforts among stakeholder agencies.
Determinar la conectividad migratoria es esencial para comprender la dinámica poblacional y gestionar y conservar las especies migratorias. Gallinago delicata es un ave de humedales ampliamente cazada, distribuida por América del Norte y partes de América del Sur, sobre la cual se sabe poco en cuanto a estrategia migratoria, conectividad o tendencias poblacionales. Aquí, utilizamos el análisis de isótopos estables de hidrógeno en plumas para identificar áreas de reproducción y determinar el grado de migración mixta de 323 individuos de G. delicata cazados en Florida durante la temporada no reproductiva. Nuestros resultados demuestran un alto grado de migración mixta entre las temporadas reproductivas y no reproductivas, y proporcionan evidencia de que aves reproductoras de todo Canadá y el noroeste de Estados Unidos migran a Florida. También encontramos evidencia de migración de muy larga distancia a través de bandas latitudinales y longitudinales, con 104 individuos viajando desde lugares de cría en el oeste de Canadá o Alaska hasta hábitats no reproductivos en Florida; el individuo que viajó más lejos probablemente migró al menos 4.270 km. Nuestros hallazgos resaltan el papel crucial del monitoreo y la gestión activa y coordinada de G. delicata, que, como migrantes de larga distancia, son desproporcionadamente vulnerables al cambio ambiental global.
