Rapid shifts in migration routes and breeding latitude in North American bluebirds

Spatial and temporal shifts in the migratory patterns of birds have become more frequent as climate change habitat alteration continue to impact ecosystems species dependent on them. In this study, we used eBird community science data collected over ten years examine potential changes three North American bluebird species: eastern (Sialia sialis), western mexicana), mountain currucoides) bluebirds. Community datasets such those provided through are a valuable tool for examining population-level processes, often costly time-consuming collect other approaches (e.g., directly tracking individuals). Using generalized additive models, produced smoothed migration paths all each season from 2009 2018. We asked whether there were 10-year period timing spring fall speed, population centroids during breeding migration. contrast many that experiencing poleward their distributions, appear shifted southward past decade. Perhaps most surprisingly, also detected strong longitudinal bluebirds, with both shifting toward center continent. Despite these routes no or speed any species. Our analysis indicates bluebirds rapidly altering pattern migration, likely response changing environmental conditions, but not always direction predicted.