For the study on Uses of Stable Isotopes to Link
Seasonal Habitats and Identify Sub-populations of Migratory Shorebirds,
scientists
collected flight feathers from three species of shorebirds at three
different wetland sites in Argentina during January 2001. Isotopic ratios
of carbon and nitrogen in flight feathers show distinct differences between
the three capture sites, as shown below. These results lend credence to
the concept that flight feathers carry isotopic signatures indicative
of a specific area.
 |
Carbon (13C) and Nitrogen (15N) ratios in shorebird feathers from three sites in Argentina. |
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.fort.usgs.gov/resources/spotlight/shorebird_isotopes/isotopes_prelimdata.asp
Page Contact Information: AskFORT@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: 8:39:08 PM
