Bird
Migration
ON THE BASIS OF MIGRATION BIRDS ARE OF TWO
TYPES :
o
(1)RESIDENTORY BIRD: THE BIRD WHICH DON’T MIGRATE .EX ;
DOVES , ETC
(2)MIGRATORY BIRD ; THE BIRD BIRDS
WHICH MIGRATE . EX ; SIBERIAN
CRANES , ARCTIC WARBLER ETC
RESIDENTORY
MIGRATORY BIRDS
BIRDS
BIRD MIGRATION
Birds migration is defined as the cyclic movement of birds from one
place to other in response to changes in environmental condition.
For examples Siberian crane , Arctic worbler , Golden plover ,
Cuckoos, swallows , Robins , Hawks ,Cranes, Geese, Passerines , etc
MODES OF BIRD
MIGRATION
Migration of bird may be diurnal or nocturnal or
both .
~Diurnal migration ; Migration in day time i.e
presence of sunlight .
During these migration ,
direction is generally
oriented by the position of
sun .Ex ;Crows ,
Swallons ,
Robins ,Hawks,Crones , Geese, etc
~Nocturnal migration:Migration in night time that is
absence of
ROUTES OF BIRD MIGRATION
In migration , Bird follows landmarks like river , coastlines ,
mountain ranges , sea , land , which are without directional
features , and which could be one of the cause of deviation
of path also .So generally route are different while
returning .
SOME INFORMATION
Altitude and velocity of migration varies from birds to birds
but generally adult bird fly at about 900 km and smaller
bird at 1525 or more . Birds usually travels 5 to 6 hrs a day
at an average speed of 50 km/hr.
Example ; Golden plover has longest non stop flight from
hudson bay to South America , a distance of 11590 km .
[Link] cranes in Nepal
[Link] Plover
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2
Causes of
Bird
Migration
1. Physical Factors:
i) Extreme Temperature
In the northern hemisphere, due to
heavy snow and glacier lands, birds
being warm blooded are not able to
resist and thus they migrate from
northern hemisphere to the southern
hemisphere.
ii) Daylight
Due to decrease in daylight, birds
tend to migrate into a better suited
place where they can get sufficient
sunlight.
iii) Wind
Increase in cold and stormy weather
compels birds to migrate into a new
place.
2. Biological factors:
Pituitary gland due to effect of light intensity, secretes gonadotropic
hormones (FSH- Follicle stimulating hormone and LH- Luteinizing
hormone) as well as it stimulates the gonads which affects the central
nervous system for migration. The gonads of birds begin to enlarge
such that they move northwards.
3. Shortage of Food
There is scarcity of food during winter in
the north because of ice sheets and
extreme cold temperature hence inter and
intra specific competition arises between
organisms for food and resting places. It
also causes birds to migrate.
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3
Types of
Bird
Migration
1. Latitudinal Migration
The type of migration in which birds migrate from the northern hemisphere
to the southern hemisphere during winter and return back to the northern
hemisphere is called Latitudinal migration. During winter season the
climate of northern hemisphere is too cold and covered by snow therefore
several birds migrate to southern hemisphere during winter for feeding and
suitable climate but during summer they return to the north for nesting and
breeding.
Example:
American golden plover(Pluvialis dominica) migrate to Argentina and Africa
during winter.
Golden Plover is one of the migratory bird with longest non stop flight from
Hudson Bay and Alaska to South America with a distance travelled of
11,590 km.
Siberian birds migrate to Nepal every year during winter.
Fig. American Golden Plover Fig. Siberian Cranes in Nepal
2. Longitudinal Migration
The migration in which birds migrate from east to west with the onset of
winter and again return back to the East with the onset of summer is called
longitudinal migration.
Examples:
Starling birds migrate from breeding area in East Europe or Asia to Atlantic
coast to avoid winter.
Egrets and Cranes come to the Terai and Valley of Nepal from Eastern Europe.
Fig. Starling Bird Fig: Egret
Altitudinal / vertical migration
Altitudinal migration is the seasonal
movement of birds between
different elevations, typically
between high-altitude breeding
grounds and lower-altitude
wintering areas. This movement is
primarily influenced by
environmental factors such as
temperature, food availability, and Fig:himalayan monal
weather conditions.
Examples
Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) – The national bird of Fig:American dipper
Nepal, this pheasant moves from high-altitude breeding grounds
(~4,500m) in summer to lower altitudes (~2,000m) in winter.
American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) – Found in North America, it
migrates to lower elevations when high-mountain streams freeze in
winter.
seasonal migration
Seasonal migration is the regular movement of birds between
breeding and non-breeding areas, driven by changes in
climate, food availability, and daylight duration. Birds migrate
to exploit favorable conditions for feeding and reproduction.
examples:
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) – Travels from the Arctic to the
Antarctic, covering the longest migration distance (~70,000 km
Fig:Arctic tern
annually).
Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) – Flies over the Himalayas
to migrate between Central Asia and South Asia.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) – Migrates from North
America to South America (~11,000 km journey).
Fig:swainson’s hawk
Daily migration
Daily migration, also called diurnal migration, refers to the short-
distance movement of birds within a day, typically between feeding,
resting, and roosting sites. These movements are often driven by food
availability, safety, and environmental conditions.
Examples Fig:commom starling
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) – Moves between
feeding fields and communal roosting sites daily.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) – Follows grazing animals
during the day and returns to trees or wetlands at
Fig:Cattle egret
Cyclic migration
Cyclic migration refers to the regular, predictable movement of
birds between different locations in a recurring pattern, often
linked to seasonal changes. This type of migration follows a fixed
cycle, typically on an annual basis, but can also occur in shorter
or longer cycles depending on environmental factors.
Examples:
Fig:Bar headed goose
Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) – Flies
over the Himalayas cyclically to reach
warmer wintering grounds.
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) –
Breeds in Europe and Asia and migrates
cyclically to Africa.
Fig:common cuckoo
Advantages of Bird Migration
Access to Food Resources – Birds migrate to regions with abundant food supplies, ensuring survival during
different seasons (e.g., Swainson’s Hawk moving to South America for insects).
Favorable Breeding Conditions – Migration allows birds to breed in areas with optimal temperatures, lower
predator presence, and abundant nesting sites (e.g., Arctic Tern breeding in the Arctic summer).
Avoidance of Harsh Weather – Birds escape extreme cold or heat by moving to more suitable climates (e.g., Bar-
headed Geese flying from Tibet to India in winter).
Reduction of Competition – By migrating, birds reduce overcrowding and competition for food and nesting sites in
a single region.
Predator Avoidance – Many birds migrate to areas with fewer predators, increasing the survival rate of their
young (e.g., shorebirds breeding in the Arctic tundra).
Exploration of New Habitats – Migration allows birds to exploit seasonal habitats that may not be suitable year-
round (e.g., Warblers moving between temperate and tropical forests).
Ecosystem Benefits – Migratory birds aid in pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control, helping maintain
ecological balance (e.g., Hummingbirds pollinating flowers during migration).
Genetic Diversity – Migration helps birds from different regions mix, promoting genetic variation and stronger
Disadvantages of Bird Migration
High Energy Demand – Migration requires large amounts of energy, and birds must build fat reserves
before traveling. Long flights without sufficient food can lead to exhaustion.
Predation Risk – Migrating birds are vulnerable to predators, especially during stopovers and while flying
over open areas (e.g., falcons preying on smaller birds in flight).
Harsh Weather Conditions – Storms, strong winds, and extreme temperatures can disrupt migration routes
and cause birds to lose their way or perish.
Habitat Loss – Urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture reduce critical stopover and wintering habitats,
making migration more challenging (e.g., wetlands drained for development).
Human-made Threats – Birds face dangers like collisions with buildings, wind turbines, and vehicles, as
well as hunting in some regions.
Climate Change Impact – Unpredictable climate patterns can shift food availability and migration timing,
causing birds to arrive too early or too late in their breeding or wintering grounds.
Risk of Getting Lost – Young or inexperienced birds may take incorrect routes or be blown off course,
leading to lower survival rates.
Disease Transmission – Migrating birds can spread diseases across regions, affecting both bird populations
and human health (e.g., avian flu).
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