Satellite-tracked movements of juvenile great egrets (Ardea alba) and plumed egrets (Ardea plumifera) from the Macquarie Marshes in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Heather M. McGinness
A * , Micha V. Jackson A , Luke R. Lloyd-Jones B , Xinyu Hou A , Louis O’Neill A , Shoshana Rapley A and Freya Robinson C
A
B
C
Abstract
Understanding waterbird movements is critical for conserving populations and protecting habitats.
To provide knowledge of where, when, and how quickly dispersing juvenile egrets move and support identification of critical routes and sites for habitat management.
We deployed GPS transmitters on 18 juvenile egrets of two species: great egret (Ardea alba; n = 10) and plumed egret (Ardea plumifera; n = 8) at natal sites in the Macquarie Marshes, Australia. We tracked dispersal movements, including timing, directions, and distances, as well as post-dispersal daily movement timing and distances travelled between roosts and foraging sites.
Dispersals of great egrets occurred in multiple directions (27–257 km in the first 72 h); all plumed egrets flew north (136–797 km in the first 72 h). Post-dispersal foraging movements from roosts were short for both species (1–2 km). One plumed egret was tracked flying from Australia to Papua New Guinea, completing a non-stop flight of approximately 38 h.
This is the first time that GPS telemetry has been used to track egret movements in Australia. It is also the first GPS record of a precise movement path between Australia and New Guinea for any large aggregate-nesting wader species. Tracking revealed key wetland sites and routes and highlighted use of small spatial areas post-dispersal.
Movement patterns suggest that juvenile great egrets may benefit more from wetland management in the Murray–Darling Basin than juvenile plumed egrets, at least during dispersal movements and their first year.
Keywords: dispersal, egret, environmental water, migration, movement, stopover, telemetry, waterbird.
References
Allen AM, Singh NJ (2016) Linking movement ecology with wildlife management and conservation. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 3, 155.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Arthur AD (2011) Using an age-structured population model to define management requirements for conservation of egrets in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. Emu – Austral Ornithology 111(3), 191-196.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Arthur AD, Reid JRW, Kingsford RT, McGinness HM, Ward KA, Harper MJ (2012) Breeding flow thresholds of colonial breeding waterbirds in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. Wetlands 32(2), 257-265.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Bates EM, Ballard BM (2014) Factors influencing behavior and success of foraging reddish egrets (Egretta rufescens). Waterbirds 37(2), 191-202.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Bates EM, Koczur LM, Ballard BM (2015) Post-Fledging survival and dispersal of juvenile reddish egrets (Egretta rufescens). Waterbirds 38(4), 401-406.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Beerens JM, Noonburg EG, Gawlik DE (2015) Linking dynamic habitat selection with wading bird foraging distributions across resource gradients. PLoS ONE 10(6), e0128182.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
BirdLife International (2016) Ardea plumifera. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016, e.T22727683A94956915.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Borkhataria RR, Frederick PC, Keller RA, Collazo JA (2012) Temporal variation in local wetland hydrology influences postdispersal survival of juvenile Wood Storks (Mycteria americana). The Auk 129(3), 517-528.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brandis K, Hewitt S, Smith M, Stewart J, Juilliard L, McEvoy T, Francis RJ (2023) Macquarie Marshes Breeding Waterbirds Reproductive Success Monitoring 2022–23. Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW, UoNS Wales, Sydney. Available at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/macquarie-marshes-breeding-waterbirds-reproductive-success-monitoring-2022-23.pdf
Briggs SV, Thornton SA (1999) Management of water regimes in River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis wetlands for waterbird breeding. Australian Zoologist 31(1), 187-197.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Bryan AL, Jr, Coulter MC, Pennycuick CJ (1995) Foraging strategies and energetic costs of foraging flights by breeding wood storks. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 97(1), 133-140.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brzorad JN, Maccarone AD, Conley KJ (2004) Foraging energetics of great egrets and snowy egrets. Journal of Field Ornithology 75(3), 266-280.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brzorad JN, Maccarone AD, Stone HM (2015) A telemetry-based study of great egret (Ardea alba) nest-attendance patterns, food-provisioning rates, and foraging activity in Kansas, USA. Waterbirds 38(2), 162-172.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brzorad JN, Allen MC, Jennings S, Condeso E, Elbin S, Kays R, Lumpkin D, Schweitzer S, Tsipoura N, Maccarone AD (2021) Seasonal patterns in daily flight distance and space use by great egrets (Ardea alba). Waterbirds 44(3), 343-355.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Byrne ME, Holland AE, Bryan AL, Beasley JC (2017) Environmental conditions and animal behavior influence performance of solar-powered GPS-GSM transmitters. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 119(3), 389-404.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Calle L, Green L, Strong A, Gawlik DE (2018) Time-integrated habitat availability is a resource attribute that informs patterns of use in intertidal areas. Ecological Monographs 88(4), 600-620.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Chambers LE, Loyn RH (2006) The influence of climate variability on numbers of three waterbird species in Western Port, Victoria, 1973–2002. International Journal of Biometeorology 50(5), 292-304.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Chelak MS, Kohl MT, Small JR, Smith KT, Pratt AC, Beck JL, Backen CR, Flack MB, Wayment HP, Wood JA, Howell R, Strange TD, McDonald LR, Manlove KR, Frey SN, Larsen RT, Maxfield BA, Dahlgren DK, Messmer TA, Stoner DC (2025) Refurbishing used GPS transmitters improves performance for subsequent deployments on greater sage-grouse. Wildlife Society Bulletin 49(1), e1566.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Corbeau A, Prudor A, Kato A, Weimerskirch H (2020) Development of flight and foraging behaviour in a juvenile seabird with extreme soaring capacities. Journal of Animal Ecology 89(1), 20-28.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Cottee-Jones HEW, Matthews TJ, Whittaker RJ (2016) The movement shortfall in bird conservation: accounting for nomadic, dispersive and irruptive species. Animal Conservation 19(3), 227-234.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Daunt F, Afanasyev V, Adam A, Croxall JP, Wanless S (2007) From cradle to early grave: juvenile mortality in European shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis results from inadequate development of foraging proficiency. Biology Letters 3(4), 371-374.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Ferraz G, Pacheco C, Fernández-Tizón M, Marques AT, Alves PC, Silva JP, Mougeot F (2024) Using GPS and accelerometer data to remotely detect breeding events in two elusive ground-nesting steppe birds. Animal Biotelemetry 12(1), 30.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Geary B, Green MC, Ballard BM (2015) Movements and survival of juvenile reddish egrets Egretta rufescens on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Endangered Species Research 28(2), 123-134.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Geering DJ, Maddock M, Cam GR, Ireland C, Halse SA, Pearson GB (1998) Movement patterns of great, intermediate and little egrets from Australian breeding colonies. Corella 22, 37-46.
| Google Scholar |
Hafner H, Kayser Y, Boy V, Fasola M, Julliard A-C, Pradel R, Cézilly F (1998) Local survival, natal dispersal, and recruitment in little egrets egretta garzetta. Journal of Avian Biology 29(3), 216-227.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Halse SA, Pearson GB, Jaensch RP, Kulmoi P, Gregory P, Kay WR, Storey AW (1996) Waterbird surveys of the middle fly river floodplain, Pap New Guinea. Wildlife Research 23(5), 557-569.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hawkes C (2009) Linking movement behaviour, dispersal and population processes: is individual variation a key? Journal of Animal Ecology 78(5), 894-906.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Hayes FE, Nakamura LH, Hiss NB, Capllonch P (2023) Seasonal distribution of the cocoi heron (Ardea cocoi) and great egret (Ardea alba) in Southern South America: evidence for partial migration. Journal of Heron Biology and Conservation 8(4), 1-9.
| Google Scholar |
Henny CJ, Hill EF, Grove RA, Chelgren ND, Haggerty PK (2017) Mercury and drought along the lower Carson River, Nevada: IV. Snowy egret post-fledging dispersal, timing of migration and survival, 2002–2004. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 135, 358-367.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Huang Z, Zhou X, Fang W, Chen X (2022) Migration and wintering of vulnerable adult Chinese Egrets (Egretta eulophotes) revealed by GPS tracking. Avian Research 13, 100055.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
IOC (2024) Proposed splits/lumps IOC version 14.2 (DRAFT). International Ornithological Committee. Available at https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/updates/proposed-splits/
Jaensch R, Richardson P (2013) Waterbird breeding colonies in the Gulf Plains, 2009–2013. The Sunbird: Journal of the Queensland Ornithological Society 43(2), 45-64.
| Google Scholar |
Jennings S, Lumpkin D, Warnock N, Condeso TE, Kelly JP (2021) Great egret (Ardea alba) habitat selection and foraging behavior in a temperate estuary: comparing natural wetlands to areas with shellfish aquaculture. PLoS ONE 16(12), e0261963.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kingsford RT, Auld KM (2005) Waterbird breeding and environmental flow management in the Macquarie Marshes, arid Australia. River Research and Applications 21(2–3), 187-200.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kirby JS, Stattersfield AJ, Butchart SHM, Evans MI, Grimmett RFA, Jones VR, O’Sullivan J, Tucker GM, Newton I (2008) Key conservation issues for migratory land- and waterbird species on the world’s major flyways. Bird Conservation International 18(S1), S49-S73.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Koczur LM, Ballard BM (2024) Drivers of partial migration in the reddish egret Egretta rufescens. Journal of Avian Biology 2024(1–2), e03133.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Lato KA, Stepanuk JEF, Heywood EI, Conners MG, Thorne LH (2022) Assessing the accuracy of altitude estimates in avian biologging devices. PLoS ONE 17(10), e0276098.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Lindström J (1999) Early development and fitness in birds and mammals. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 14(9), 343-348.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Lumpkin D, Jennings S, Warnock N, Condeso TE (2023) Partial migration by great egrets Ardea alba in Coastal California. Waterbirds 45(2), 150-158.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Maccarone AD, Brzorad JN, Stone HM (2008) Characteristics and energetics of great egret and snowy egret foraging flights. Waterbirds 31(4), 541-549.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Maccarone AD, Brzorad JN, Stone HM (2012) A telemetry-based study of snowy egret (Egretta thula) nest-activity patterns, food-provisioning rates and foraging energetics. Waterbirds 35(3), 394-401.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Maddock M, Baxter GS (1991) Breeding success of egrets related to rainfall: a six-year Australian study. Colonial Waterbirds 14(2), 133-139.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Marchetti K, Price T (1989) Differences in the foraging of juvenile and adult birds: the importance of developmental constraints. Biological Reviews 64(1), 51-70.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
McGinness HM, Lloyd-Jones LR, Robinson F, Langston A, O’Neill LG, Rapley S, Jackson MV, Hodgson J, Piper M, Davies M, Martin JM, Kingsford R, Brandis K, Doerr V, Mac Nally R (2024a) Satellite telemetry reveals complex mixed movement strategies in ibis and spoonbills of Australia: implications for water and wetland management. Movement Ecology 12(1), 74.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
McGinness HM, Jackson MV, Lloyd-Jones L, Robinson F, Langston A, O’Neill LG, Rapley S, Piper M, Davies M, Hodgson J, Martin JM, Kingsford R, Brandis K, Doerr V, Mac Nally R (2024b) Extensive tracking of nomadic waterbird movements reveals an inland flyway. Ecology and Evolution 14(12), e70668.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
McGinness HM, Lloyd-Jones LR, Robinson F, Langston A, O’Neill LG, Rapley S, Jackson MV, Hodgson J, Piper M, Davies M, Martin JM, Kingsford R, Brandis K, Doerr V, Mac Nally R (2024c) Habitat use by nomadic ibis and spoonbills post-dispersal from breeding sites. Landscape Ecology 39(11), 189.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Melvin SL, Gawlik DE, Scharff T (1999) Long-term movement patterns for seven species of wading birds. Waterbirds: The International Journal of Waterbird Biology 22(3), 411-416.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Mužinić J (2011) Intermediate egret ardea intermedia in the Neretva River Valley (Croatia): evaluation of historical and recent data on its movements. Avian Biology Research 4(3), 118-121.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Ogburn MB, Harrison A-L, Whoriskey FG, Cooke SJ, Mills Flemming JE, Torres LG (2017) Addressing challenges in the application of animal movement ecology to aquatic conservation and management. Frontiers in Marine Science 4, 70.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Pang C-C, Sung Y-H, Chung Y-T, Ying H-K, Fong HHN, Yu Y-T (2020) Spatial ecology of little egret (Egretta garzetta) in Hong Kong uncovers preference for commercial fishponds. PeerJ 8, e9893.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Péron G, Calabrese JM, Duriez O, Fleming CH, García-Jiménez R, Johnston A, Lambertucci SA, Safi K, Shepard ELC (2020) The challenges of estimating the distribution of flight heights from telemetry or altimetry data. Animal Biotelemetry 8(1), 5.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Poessel SA, Duerr AE, Hall JC, Braham MA, Katzner TE (2018) Improving estimation of flight altitude in wildlife telemetry studies. Journal of Applied Ecology 55(4), 2064-2070.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Pratt HD (2011) Observations on species limits in the Great Egret (Ardea alba) complex. Journal of Heron Biology and Conservation 1(5), 1 5.
| Google Scholar |
Recher HF, Recher JA (1969) Comparative foraging efficiency of adult and immature little blue herons (Florida caerulea). Animal Behaviour 17(2), 320-322.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Richardson AJ, Taylor IR (2003) Are rice fields in southeastern Australia an adequate substitute for natural wetlands as foraging areas for egrets? Waterbirds 26(3), 353-363.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Rotics S, Kaatz M, Resheff YS, Turjeman SF, Zurell D, Sapir N, Eggers U, Flack A, Fiedler W, Jeltsch F, Wikelski M, Nathan R (2016) The challenges of the first migration: movement and behaviour of juvenile vs. adult white storks with insights regarding juvenile mortality. Journal of Animal Ecology 85(4), 938-947.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Schaub T, Millon A, De Zutter C, Buij R, Chadoeuf J, Lee S, Mionnet A, Klaassen RHG (2023) How to improve the accuracy of height data from bird tracking devices? An assessment of high-frequency GPS tracking and barometric altimetry in field conditions. Animal Biotelemetry 11(1), 31.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Shirai T (2013) Breeding colony attachment and long-term reproductive history of individually identified grey herons. Yamashina Journal of Ornithology 44(2), 79-91.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Son S-J, Oh J-W, Hyun B-R, Kang J-H (2021) Home range of juvenile chinese egrets Egretta eulophotes during post-fledging stage in Chilsan Archipelago, Republic of Korea. Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology 35(2), 98-105.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Thomas RF, Kingsford RT, Lu Y, Hunter SJ (2011) Landsat mapping of annual inundation (1979–2006) of the Macquarie Marshes in semi-arid Australia. International Journal of Remote Sensing 32(16), 4545-4569.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Todte I, Kaatz M, Fiedler W (2010) Woher stammen in Deutschland auftretende Silberreiher Casmerodius albus? Erste hinweise aus der satellitentelemetrie eines vogels und aus neuen ringfunden. Vogelwarte 48, 269-273.
| Google Scholar |
Walsh AC, Chafer CJ (2022) Taxonomic revision, occurrence, and identification of intermediate egret Ardea intermedia in North Queensland, Australia. Australian Field Ornithology 39, 174-194.
| Google Scholar |
Weseloh D, Moore D, Knezevic T (2014) Wintering locations of ontario-banded great egrets: new jersey to the Caribbean. Ontario Birds 32(1), 2-11.
| Google Scholar |
Winden JVD, Horssen PWV, Poot MJM, Gyimesi A (2012) Pre-migratory behaviour of the purple heron in the Netherlands. Ardeola 59(1), 3-15.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Włodarczyk R, Szafara D, Kaczmarek K, Janiszewski T, Minias P (2020) Migratory behaviour and survival of great egrets after range expansion in Central Europe. PeerJ 8, e9002.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
