Meeting Abstract
Animal movement plays a significant role in the development and fitness of species, population dynamics and the stability of resources within ecosystems. The ability of an animal to secure resources requires energy spent searching and is reflected in their movement and breeding patterns. This study aims to investigate the relationship between food availability and movement patterns of breeding and nonbreeding red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra). We captured 40 birds using live decoy lures and mist nets through the summer and winter of 2009 and 2010 and through the summer and winter of 2016 and 2017, which represented low food years and high food years, respectively. Birds were fitted with a continuous-tone radio transmitter, released and subsequently tracked for 48 hours. GPS coordinates were recorded and later used to generate Brownian Bridge Movement Models (BBMMs) to analyze spatial habitat use across seasons. Total linear distance traveled and total area of activity will be used as two quantitative measures of general activity. We discuss activity patterns and habitat use in the context of foraging theories, food availability, season and red crossbill foraging ecology.
