Bird migration takes place two times a year. Generally, it happens in the spring and autumn of the year in the temperate regions. In the tropics, movement happens during the dry and rainy seasons.

Food is a driving force. Birds migrate in temperate regions to places with better sources of food. In tropical regions, the reason is to move to areas with less or more water.

The birds that live in the northern parts of the United States over the winter live mainly on seeds, tree buds, and dry berries. Live flying insects are scarce in northern regions in winter. So, most flying insect-eating birds migrate.

The majority of those insect-eaters that remain north in winter are small birds that live mainly on insect eggs and the developing young of insects. These birds include chickadees, nuthatches, titmouse, and woodpeckers.

Learn about Winter Birds and Winter Food

 

Where Do Birds Go When They Migrate?

The great majority of birds migrate in a generally north-south direction. Most birds that bred in Canada and the northern United States fly south for the winter. Many migrate as far south as South America. The seasons south of the equator are opposite those in North America. Therefore, North American birds that migrate to southern South America arrive in time for that region’s summer. And plenty of insects. These migrants are called Neotropical migrants.

Bird migration can take place day or night. Some species migrate by day. Others fly at night. Bird migration usually starts at dawn or dusk. Birds can travel alone or in flocks, depending on species.

Learn about Bird Migration Routes and Flyways

How Do Birds Navigate?

We don’t completely know how birds navigate. But, scientists have experimented and made several suggestions. Birds may use several compass techniques to find their way.

• an internal compass that tells which way is north, south, east, west, etc.
• birds possess magnetite in their beaks which measures the strength of the earth’s magnetic field
• the sun as a directional aid
• the star patterns as a compass
• polarized light compass – using the patterns of the polarized skylight at dawn and dusk

These methods and others we may not know about help birds to find their way. Many birds use flyways or routes to migrate from one area to another.

Migration for South American, Waterfowl, and Shorebirds

No South American birds migrate to North America. They fly only as far north as the tropics, spend the winter there and then return south for the summer.

Most waterfowl, such as ducks and geese only migrate short distances. They generally nest and overwinter on the same continent.

Shorebirds tend to migrate in flocks and usually at night.

Hummingbird Migration Dates

Waterfowl Migration in Autumn

I hope you enjoy the video. The host does a great job of explaining the ways birds navigate.