Bird Migration Stories on NPR | Audubon of Florida News:
'via Blog this'bird migration
Many birds use the sun and stars to navigate during migration.
Without an atlas, road signs or computer GPS, more than 5,000 species of birds manage annual roundtrip migrations of thousands of miles, often returning to the exact same nesting and wintering locations from year to year. But how do birds manage this amazing journey? Understanding how birds migrate can give birders even greater appreciation for the birds they see.
Why Birds Migrate
Migration is critical in the life cycle of a bird, and without this annual journey many birds would not be able to raise their young. Birds migrate to find the richest, most abundant food sources that will provide adequate energy to nurture young birds. If no birds migrated, competition for adequate food during breeding seasons would be fierce and many birds would starve. Instead, birds have evolved different migration patterns, times and routes to give themselves and their offspring the greatest chance of survival.
Of course, not all birds migrate. Some species have adapted to take advantage of different food sources as seasons change, allowing them to stay in one location all year round. Other birds are better adapted to cold climates with thicker fat reserves and better feather insulation, and they can survive long cold seasons while they forage for winter food. For more than half the world's birds, however, migration is essential to stay alive.
Internet.
'via Blog this'bird migration
Many birds use the sun and stars to navigate during migration.
Without an atlas, road signs or computer GPS, more than 5,000 species of birds manage annual roundtrip migrations of thousands of miles, often returning to the exact same nesting and wintering locations from year to year. But how do birds manage this amazing journey? Understanding how birds migrate can give birders even greater appreciation for the birds they see.
Why Birds Migrate
Migration is critical in the life cycle of a bird, and without this annual journey many birds would not be able to raise their young. Birds migrate to find the richest, most abundant food sources that will provide adequate energy to nurture young birds. If no birds migrated, competition for adequate food during breeding seasons would be fierce and many birds would starve. Instead, birds have evolved different migration patterns, times and routes to give themselves and their offspring the greatest chance of survival.
Of course, not all birds migrate. Some species have adapted to take advantage of different food sources as seasons change, allowing them to stay in one location all year round. Other birds are better adapted to cold climates with thicker fat reserves and better feather insulation, and they can survive long cold seasons while they forage for winter food. For more than half the world's birds, however, migration is essential to stay alive.
Internet.
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