Why Knot?
| PhD ceremony: | Ms E.M.A. (Eva) Kok |
| When: | September 04, 2020 |
| Start: | 12:45 |
| Supervisor: | prof. dr. T. (Theunis) Piersma |
| Co-supervisor: | dr. K. Mathot |
| Where: | Academy building RUG |
| Faculty: | Science and Engineering |
Red knots (Calidris canutus) are shorebirds that spent most of the year at intertidal areas such as the Wadden Sea. However, once a year to and from their northern breeding grounds. Red knots yearly undergo a remodeling of their body to be physiologically prepared for the long flight and following reproductive season. Previous work has shown that many experienced migrants are very consistent in their migratory routines.
The aim of the thesis of Eva Kok is to increase understanding of the development of individual migratory routines. In the first part of this thesis, she first explores individual variation in migratory behaviour present in wild knots using a novel solar-powered satellite transmitter.
In the second part of this thesis she investigates how differences in experience effect the development of physiological and behavioural traits in birds temporarily held in captivity. By combining these results Kok shows that environmental conditions play a key role in shaping individual migratory routines.
Expending on the role of experience in shaping individual differences Kok presents a testing protocol aimed at testing cognitive aspects of migration, a fairly under represented topic in studies on migration. For future studies she suggests to combine tracking of individual birds with standardized assays to stimulate research into the cognitive aspects of migratory behaviour. Because she believse that the closer we are to understanding ‘what it is like to be a bird (or any other animal) the more we are able, and willing, to appreciate and protect the animals and the habitats that are around us.