Natal dispersal, the movement from natal to breeding territory, is a
crucial life-history event but despite its importance, it is underlooked
owing to difficulties in monitoring movements of wild animals. Using
long-term data and newly developed tracking devices, Dr. Young Ha Suh
studied variation in natal dispersal in a color-banded population of
Florida Scrub-Jays, a cooperatively breeding species in which the offspring
delay dispersal and remain as helpers on the natal territory. Both social
and environmental factors affect dispersal timing and distance, especially
when there is strong competition for breeding opportunities. Florida
Scrub-Jays also prospect for future breeding opportunities through an
information-gathering movement which has costs but can increase their
chances of dispersal. High-accuracy tracking tags revealed how frequent and
far helpers prospect and provide a new opportunity to study this elusive
behavior. Overall, various social and environmental elements seem to affect
the costs and benefits of dispersal and explain why we see variation in
dispersal patterns for this species.
Join us for a presentation to further our understanding of an essential and
poorly understood behavior.
Become a LAB Member! Though our webinars will always remain free and
available to all, members of Los Angeles Birders have access to live
webinars via Zoom, invitations to special LAB-only field trips, priority
sign-up on LAB field trips & events, and discounts on paid LAB programs. To
learn more about membership, please see our website
<https://www.labirders.org/>!
Upcoming Programs
3/21/23 The Status, Distribution, and Identification of Alcids in Southern
California with David Pereksta (webinar)
4/1/23 Valyermo and Juniper Hills Transect with Kimball Garrett (field
trip, FULL)
4/2/23 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (members-only field
trip, signup in late March)
4/9/23 Tejon Ranch (Los Angeles County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field
trip, member priority sign up open next week)
4/16/23 Tejon Ranch (Kern County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field trip,
member priority sign up in 2 weeks)
Good birding,
Rebecca Marschall for Los Angeles Birders
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