Wing Shape in House Finches Differs Relative to Migratory Habit in Eastern and Western North America

Jeremy R. Egbert, James R. Belthoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

We investigated whether wing morphology differed between the sedentary House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) of western North America and the introduced population of eastern North America, as the latter has developed migratory behavior since its inception. Wing morphology differed between eastern and western House Finches. Eastern House Finches had shorter proximal primaries and a longer outer primary, perhaps reflecting a thinner and more pointed wing, although no disparity in wing length was detected. Since we interpret these differences in wing shape as modifications for flight capability, we believe that initial evidence for morphological divergence relative to migratory habit between eastern and western House Finches has been established here. Confirmatory studies to determine if wing morphology varies according to the gradient in expression of migratory behavior throughout the range of eastern House Finches are now warranted.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)825-829
Number of pages5
JournalCondor
Volume105
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2003

Keywords

  • Carpodacus mexicanus
  • House Finch
  • Intraspecific variation
  • Morphology
  • Partial migration
  • Wing shape

EGS Disciplines

  • Biology

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