Title:

Influence of Wind and Geography on Orientation Behavior of Adult Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus During Migration Over Water

Subtitle:

Wpływ kierunku wiatrów i ukształtowania terenu na zachowania wędrówkowe dorosłych pszczołojadów ; Short notes

Creator:

Agostini, Nicolantonio ; Premuda, Guido ; Mellone, Ugo ; Panuccio, Michele ; Logozzo, Daniela ; Bassi, Enrico ; Cocchi, Leonardo

Contributor:

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Publisher:

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Place of publishing:

Warsaw

Date issued/created:

2005

Description:

pg(s) 71–74

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

Honey Buzzard ; Pernis apivorus ; migration ; water crossing ; orientation ; geography ; wind ; navigation ; trzmielojad zwyczajny ; pszczołojad

Abstract:

During autumn migration across the Central Mediterranean, adult Honey Buzzards cross the sea at its narrowest point, between western Sicily (southern Italy) and the Cap Bon Peninsula (Tunisia). This study investigated the influence of prevailing winds and geography on the orientation behaviour of migrants during this sea crossing by observations over two islands, one on the northern side, the other on the southern side of the Channel of Sicily. The flock was taken as the sampling unit. Honey Buzzards reached the island of Marettimo, approx. 30 km off western Sicily and 130 km NE of the Cap Bon Peninsula, regardless of the direction of the prevailing winds (NW and S). By contrast, Honey Buzzards passed via Pantelleria, about 110 km SW of western Sicily and 70 km ESE of the Cap Bon peninsula, mostly during NW winds. Birds reached Pantelleria from the NE and left the island flying WNW They applied true navigational abilities in choosing the shorter crossing between Pantelleria and Tunisia and showing a curvilinear migration. Our results agree in part with the “optimal use of wind” hypothesis. In particular, wind, geography and navigational abilities seem to interact to shape the orientation behaviour of migrating Honey Buzzards, perhaps to minimize the risks of non-stop powered flight over the water.

Relation:

Acta Ornithologica

Volume:

40

Issue:

1

Start page:

71

End page:

74

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Journal

Format:

text/xml

Resource Identifier:

10.3161/068.040.0101

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng

Language of abstract:

pol ; eng

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Free Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. May be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Access:

Open