The Wyoming Biodiversity Minute
Episode 6. Bird Migration
Image: Serge Melki - CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As winter approaches we may look up to the sky and find geese flying in a V formation, a hallmark of migration season. For centuries scientists have attempted to understand bird migration. Birds use indicators such as day length, changes in temperate and food supply to alert them to migrate. Birds also have predisposition for migration, even caged birds will become restless during the spring and fall while their wild relatives are migrating. Birds can navigate using the sun, stars and earth’s magnetic field. Some species follow pathways on their annual migration due to hotspots that usually have a guaranteed food source. Birds will eventually return north to summer breeding grounds. So when the bluebirds fly away they will be back soon. With your WyoBioMinute I am Sara Kirkpatrick.
Image: Schyler - CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons
As winter approaches we may look up to the sky and find geese flying in a V formation, a hallmark of migration season. For centuries scientists have attempted to understand bird migration.
Join the Biodiversity Institute on a journey of discovery - follow us on social media!