Amazing Migration Facts
Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate, with 4 billion birds headed south over the United States this season.
Interestingly, only 2.6 billion return in the spring, as young birds born during the summer fly south with their parents, making the fall migration larger.
Migrating During the Day
Some birds, such as Canada geese, migrate during the day, relying on visual cues to fly in their characteristic V formation.
If they don’t watch where they go, they crash into other birds or will not stay in the correct aerodynamic position.
Using Thermals for Migration
Other birds, like Broad-winged hawks, use thermals to help propel them on their migration south, while some species of hawks and falcons use thermal updrafts to convey them on their way.
- They are carried upward like an elevator by the updrafts.
- Then, they glide down to find the next updraft, saving valuable energy by coasting over much of their journey.
Author's summary: Birds migrate using various strategies to conserve energy.
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