Committee Chair

Aborn, David

Committee Member

Schorr, Mark S. (Mark Steven); Woltmann, Stefan

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

As migratory bird tracking technologies advance, we can now follow movements of birds throughout a full-annual cycle. These breakthroughs are revealing information that was previously unknown for many species. Using light-level geolocators, my study follows Louisiana Waterthrushes and Worm-eating Warblers from four populations, from 2016 to 2019. The purpose of my research was to examine the potential effects geolocators have on body condition and survival, as well as to describe the migratory speed and duration of the populations. My results suggested that tracking Louisiana Waterthrushes and Worm-eating Warblers with light-level geolocators or other small markers weighing 0.5 g, using proper attachment methods, can be accomplished without deleterious impacts on the condition and survival of the birds, and the data revealed the birds employed a time-minimizing strategy during migration. Lastly, there was a cultural component of the project that connected communities on each end of Neotropical migration through an educational program.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my committee, Dr. David Aborn, Dr. Mark Schorr, and Dr. Stefan Woltmann, for their help and guidance throughout this research project. I would also like to thank the Toledo Lab of Ornithology (specifically Dr. Henry Streby, Dr. Gunnar Kramer, and Silas Fisher), and Dr. Patrick Ruhl for their valuable insight and significant contributions. Further, I would like to thank the Tennessee River Gorge Trust for their support of the project, provisioning of equipment, and field assistance. In particular, a big thank you to Rick Huffines, Holland Youngman, Angie Langevin, Caryn Ross, and Juan Sandoval for all of their time and effort assisting with field work associated with this project. In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the multitude of professors, coworkers, and friends that offered help along the way.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

5-2021

Subject

Birds--Migration; Louisiana waterthrush; Wildlife research--Technique

Keyword

geolocator; louisiana waterthrush; marker effects; migration; worm-eating warbler

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

x, 56 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

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