Migratory stopover sites used by Reddish Egrets: prioritization for conservation

Abstract

The conditions encountered during the migratory period, particularly at stopover sites, can influence individual survival, reproductive success, and population stability; therefore, knowledge of migration ecology is important for developing conservation strategies. We monitored stopover site use by Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens) marked with satellite transmitters between their breeding area in southern Texas, USA, and wintering sites in Mexico and El Salvador. The duration of time spent at stopover sites varied among individuals and seasons, ranging from 1 to 64 days at a particular site. Three of the four individuals that were tracked for multiple seasons flew farther between stopover sites during autumn migration compared to spring, and the average distance between stopovers ranged from 192 to 580 km among individuals. Laguna San Andres in Tamaulipas, Mexico, appeared to be the most important stopover site based on the proportion of the marked population that used it. Understanding the stopover ecology and habitat use of migratory individuals will help direct conservation efforts for the species.

Keywords

• egretta rufescens
• gulf of mexico
• migration
• reddish egret
• stopover