Speaker
Description
How the migratory behaviour of birds develops over their lifetime is a longstanding question with important implications for predicting the adaptive capacity of migrants in a changing world. However, our inability to follow the movements of individuals from early life has limited our understanding of the ontogeny of migration. My research examines the development of migratory behaviour in long-distance migrants at two spatio-temporal scales. First, we study large-scale changes in route choice and selection over long periods of time, investigating the factors that influence shifts in migratory pathways and the implications for species survival and adaptation. Secondly, we examine small-scale improvements in flight behaviour, focusing on the intricate adjustments birds make to optimise flight efficiency, navigate effectively and adapt to challenging environmental conditions. Our research combines innovative tracking technology with advanced data analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of bird migration patterns. The results provide valuable insights into bird behaviour, potentially informing conservation strategies and enhancing our understanding of this remarkable natural phenomenon.
