Empirical tests of habitat selection theory reveal that conspecific density and patch quality, but not habitat amount, drive long‐distance immigration in a wild bird. (20th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rushing, Clark S.; Brandt Ryder, T.; Valente, Jonathon J.; Scott Sillett, T.; Marra, Peter P.
• Editors: Lawler, Joshua
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 24:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1167
• Page End: 1177
• Publication Date: 2021-03-20
• Subjects: Conspecific attraction -- deuterium -- habitat selection -- ideal free distribution -- immigration -- social cues hypothesis -- source‐sink dynamics; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.13729
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

Abstract: Individuals that disperse long distances from their natal site must select breeding patches with no prior knowledge of patch suitability. Despite decades of theoretical studies examining which cues dispersing individuals should use to select breeding patches, few empirical studies have tested the predictions of these theories at spatial scales relevant to long‐distance dispersal in wild animal populations. Here, we use a novel assignment model based on multiple intrinsic markers to quantify natal dispersal distances of Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla mustelina ) breeding in forest fragments. We show that long‐distance natal dispersal in this species is more frequent than commonly assumed for songbirds and that habitat selection by these individuals is driven by density‐dependence and patch quality but not the amount of habitat surrounding breeding patches. These results represent an important contribution to understanding habitat selection by dispersing individuals, especially with regards to long‐distance dispersal. Abstract : Long‐distance dispersers must select breeding sites with no prior knowledge of site quality, but the cues they use to make these decisions are poorly understood. We used intrinsic markers to show that natal dispersing Wood Thrush favor high‐quality patches but avoid patches with both very low and very high conspecific density. These results suggest that dispersing individuals use both social cues and habitat features when selecting breeding patches.