If you live in a cold climate, you likely know that many bird species leave for the winter, like a retiree fleeing the cold in favor of sunny beaches. You may also realize that flying so many miles can be dangerous for birds, especially in the face of global warming when so much about the world is changing.
Billions of birds will die during migration each year – so, why do they do it? What makes this process so essential? Let’s jump in and explore all there is to know about bird migration!
Why do Birds Migrate?
When we think of bird migration, we typically think of birds flying to warmer locations in the winter and then back home in spring. While fleeing cold and unsuitable environments is the biggest reason that birds migrate, it isn’t the only cause.
For instance, some birds migrate shorter distances to escape poor weather conditions, such as rainfall. They may migrate due to an influx of predators in the area or even because they’re chasing prey. For instance, birds of prey often follow the migration patterns of smaller birds because once they’re gone, there’s less left to eat!
In general, birds migrate to flee dangerous conditions or to move to a location with more resources. In cold environments, berry plants go dormant and birds can’t root for insects in the frozen ground, greatly limiting their ability to eat.
While scientists have several theories on why birds come back home each year rather than staying in warmer environments, it seems to be linked to their mating rituals. Possibly, birds want to raise their offspring in a familiar environment.
Some bird species will travel hundreds, or even thousands of miles each year as they take their round-trip away from home and back. The Arctic tern, for instance, travels up to 55,000 miles between the north and south poles.
If you’re an avid bird watcher, you may have noticed that some birds do linger throughout the winter, though. There are entire species that don’t migrate at all!
When do Birds Migrate?
In the United States, most birds migrate in the fall between the months of August through November, then again in the spring from March to June. However, exact migration patterns will vary depending on bird species, location, and more.
How to Support Migrating Birds
Nature Conservation
Most birds will need to rest at some point during their migration. Where they land depends on their species–it could be in the wetlands, forests, or meadows. You might even see flocks of birds landing in your area each year, resting their wings until it’s time to fly again.
Whether it’s cutting down trees, building new sub-divisions, or overfishing, humans do a lot of damage to birds’ natural ecosystems. Conservation efforts are important as they keep the land natural and give birds the resources they need, not just during migration, but year-round.
Turning Off Lights
A simple thing that you can do for migrating birds is to turn off your lights at night. Human-made lights produce what is known as light pollution. Too much light can confuse animals who would normally navigate by moon or starlight, and can also disturb their natural sleep cycles.
This can be catastrophic for animals like birds, who rely partially on the sky to determine where to fly each year.
Making Windows Bird-Safe
Most of us don’t think of our windows as dangerous, but to birds–who can’t see glass–they can cause injury or even death.
Window treatments such as curtains, blinds, or window decals can help warn birds that there is glass in front of them so that they don’t fly into it by mistake. Curtains and blinds can also be closed at night so that less light from your home can be seen from outdoors.
Cleaning Up Litter
It should go without saying that littering is bad for the environment and the animals in it, including birds! Assuming you don’t litter, though, there’s still plenty you can do to help keep things clean.
Whether it’s picking up that fast food bag you see blowing down the street or planning a whole volunteer day with your friends, every little bit helps.
You can also double-check that you’re using your city’s recycling system correctly. A product having a recycling symbol doesn’t necessarily mean it’s recycled in your area. When a city’s recycling system is clogged with too many things they can’t recycle, they often through the whole batch in the trash–wasting the time that you and your neighbors spent trying to do the right thing.
Usually, you can find a list online of what’s actually recyclable in your area, including specific plastics that your city will and won’t recycle. There may also be drop-off areas for certain materials.
Nurturing Native Plants
Native plants are important to your local ecosystem. They attract a variety of pollinators and other insects for birds to eat. Shrubs and trees can even provide coverage so that smaller birds can hide away from predators.
Some people go so far as replacing their grass with native plants, but don’t think you have to start there! One simple action you can take is to learn about the native weeds in your yard and let them grow.
Avoiding Pesticides and Herbicides
Lastly, avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides in your garden will help all kinds of wildlife. These chemicals can hurt beneficial insects such as pollinators. They can also work their way up the food chain, hurting birds along the way.
Avoiding pesticides is also healthier for our human families and even our pets–it’s a win-win for everybody!
Conclusion
While birds migrate for many reasons, they’re always seeking safety and the continuation of their species. They may be following food sources so that they and their offspring have enough to eat, or fleeing weather that’s too cold for them to survive.
Don’t forget that you can help your local birds on their journey this year in big and small ways. Just turning off your porch light and covering large windows can make a huge difference for the birds in your own backyard.
