Birds Fly Out as Fall Rolls In

Our sky’s will play host to thousands of winged visitors for the next few weeks, as birds from across the country migrate to their fall and winter destinations. This is a very exciting time for birdwatchers and individuals who feed wild birds, because many species not native to the area will be passing through and will be seen at feeders, in birdbaths, in yards and in other natural settings.

Migration is a fascinating part of bird behavior. It appears that age, sex, weather and the availability of food, water and shelter are the major factors in migratory behavior.

More than 300 bird species found in North America during the summer will make their way to Latin America and the Caribbean, some covering distances of nearly 7,000 miles.

While migration is still not completely understood, it appears that some birds orient themselves by the stars on clear nights while others seem to have a built-in magnetic compass. Some birds travel over large bodies of water, and it is not uncommon for birds to lose one fourth to one half of their body weight during over-water migration.

In order to survive their grueling trip, birds accumulate fat prior to migration. This physiological change helps the birds maintain their energy reserves.

Not only can we enjoy migrating birds as they pass through our area, but, we can also play a role in their survival by providing food, water, habitat and/or shelter to help them conserve and replenish their energy supply during their journey.