Types Of Migratory Birds

Birds tend to migrate and move around in the different seasons of the year, and migration is according to many reasons , and there are four main types of bird migration, which are as follows:

long-distance migratory

Many bird species migrate over very long distances, covering thousands of kilometers between different continents. For example, many birds migrate from Canada and the United States to Central and South America, and the most prominent of these birds are ducks, geese, swans, hummingbirds, and flies.

migrate for short distances

Some birds migrate for hundreds or tens of kilometers only, and by ascending and descending on the slopes of the mountains, and the most famous of these birds are the American tree birds.

The nomadic migrant

Some types of birds move irregularly, and the life of these birds is similar to the life of nomads, as they move from one place to another in search of food and water, and in some cases when they find a place with abundant sources they settle and become a permanent place for them, and examples of these birds are the nutcracker and the robin .

Reasons for bird migration

Birds migrate from their original settlement areas to other regions for the main purpose of survival, and among the most important reasons for which birds migrate to survive are the following:

Migrate to search for food

The search for food is the main motive for the migration of birds. In many regions of the world, the weather becomes difficult in winter or summer, and the abundance of food and water becomes scarce, which prompts millions of birds to migrate to benefit from the abundance of food in other regions.

Migration to breed

Some types of birds migrate thousands of years ago with the aim of reproduction, and this migration does not only help in reproduction and mating, but rather it is useful for laying eggs, and raising young chicks in a warm area and abundant food, so that these chicks are ready for the next migration trips.

climate migration

Different types of feathers grow on the skins of birds for their survival and protection from different climates, and the migration of birds can be affected by changes in those climates.

For example, several birds migrate from their home in the very cold Arctic to temperate regions due to the very low temperatures, and they also migrate from regions with harsh temperatures, as these regions can be very cold or hot for young chicks.

Migrate to escape predators

Abundant food sources are available in many regions of the world, and many birds live in them, but they attract many predators that feed on birds, so large numbers of birds migrate to rocky and sloping areas for fear of being eaten.

Immigration for fear of disease

Millions of birds migrate annually for fear of disease, as parasitic diseases spread in the bird settlement area, forcing these birds to migrate and search for a new place to live for fear of these diseases.

Examples of migratory birds

40% of the world’s birds migrate; That is, nature has hundreds of migratory birds, and the most prominent of these migratory birds are the following:

Black-tailed Godwit

The black-tailed buccaneer lives in mating seasons in regions of Eurasia, and migrates in winter to regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia, and it is an endangered bird.

Blue-tailed bee-eaters

The blue-tailed bee-eaters of Asia migrate winter to the warm regions of Southeast Asia, while the same bird found in Australia does not.

Brown-breasted Flycatchers

Brown-breasted flycatchers live in Southeast Asia in summer, and migrate to India and Sri Lanka in winter.

Yellow-headed wagtail (Citrine wagtail)

The yellow-headed wagtail lives and breeds in Cape Town, South Africa, but migrates in the winter to South Asian regions.

The White Pelican

White swans spend most of their time in winter in Africa, and migrate in the summer, but some of them spend all year round in Africa.

Calliope Hummingbirds

The calliope hummingbird breeds in northwestern regions of North America, while it migrates for the winter for a short period to Mexico, and then returns to the same old areas