Current Ornithology

Abstract

The focus of much of the theory and most of the field work on migration has been the role of competition in shaping the timing and distribution of migration movements. In this review the author will examine the theory and evidence for how competition affect the distribution and abundance of migrant birds during the nonbreeding season. The author will focus on the discussion on migrants that move from high to tropical latitudes, a distribution pattern that probably includes most of the migratory species. In the interest of economy of space, he will examine competition among and within migrant species and leave the over-whelming task of analyzing resident-migrant interactions to future reviewers.