Impacts on avian migratory patterns due to climate change and hormonal disruption: a review

Migratory birds are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which disrupt their timing of migration, availability of resources and even hormonal regulation. Present review summarizes the key points regarding the impacts of climate change on migratory birds and the challenges they face for long-term viability. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and shifts in wind patterns affect migration timing, availability of food resources, and flight paths. Trophic mismatches resulting from climate change reduce reproductive success. Changes in hormone production and secretion, driven by altered day length and light intensity, affect migration and reproductive timing. Elevated corticosterone levels due to environmental stressors influence migratory decisions. Hormones regulating appetite and energy balance impact feeding behavior and fat deposition. These impacts contribute to declining population sizes and increase the vulnerability of migratory birds to extinction. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting stopover sites, promoting international cooperation, raising public awareness, and engaging stakeholders. Research advancements, such as satellite tracking and predictive modelling, support conservation strategies. Collaborative efforts between researchers, policymakers, and conservation organizations are essential for effective conservation and management of migratory bird populations in the face of climate change.

Graphical Abstract