Radio-tagged Pacific Golden-Plovers: Further insight concerning the Hawaii-Alaska migratory link

摘要

We radio-tagged 55 Pacific Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis fulva) in spring 2001-2003 on wintering grounds in Hawaii. Following their northward migration (most birds deserted winter territories in late April), we relocated 15 golden-plovers in three regions of Alaska: Copper River Delta, King Salmon, and Kotzebue. One individual made the transpacific flight from Oahu to the Alaska Peninsula in a minimum time of 70 hr at a minimum flight speed of 56 km/hr. Our findings, together with earlier records, indicate a major Hawaii-Alaska migratory connection for this species, and suggest that plovers wintering on Oahu nest throughout the known Alaska breeding range. Post-breeding, 84% of the sample birds returned to Oahu and reoccupied their previous winter territories.