A trans‐African migrant shows repeatable route choice in males and repeatable timing in females

Migrant bird populations often show substantial variation in route choice and timing. Determining whether this population-level is driven by between-individual differences and/or flexibility within individuals key to identifying drivers of migration patterns. ‘Repeatability' (R, the proportion attributable variation) has become a central metric for relative consistency individual behaviour. Individual repeatability migratory timing reported vary between seasonal regional contexts may also differ demographic groups (e.g. sexes), but interpreting requires careful consideration underlying changes between- within-individual variation. We GPS-tracked repeat migrations eight male five female Eleonora's falcons Falco eleonorae quantified magnitude within- their routes at 100 km intervals all across Africa. did both sexes, then separately males females. found greater spring routes, albeit with fluctuations seasons. The greatest occurred during desert-crossing, coincided high variation, thus only low choice. Route instead peaked (R = 0.6–0.8) through Horn Africa spring, rainforest-crossing autumn. Variation was stable regions, generally higher spring. Sex-specific analyses suggest exhibit repeatability, while females stronger contrasts repeatability. Such sex were unexpected, overall, timings appear where environmental annual cycle constraints are weaker. especially fidelity stop-over sites, or barrier-crossing preferences. routines be acquired early-life exploration-refinement.