Migration Definition, Types, and Importance
Most birds that breed in the huge landmasses of the Northern Hemisphere feed on insects, fruits, fish, and weed seeds — foods that disappear or are covered with ice or snow in winter. These birds must migrate south to find suitable food in winter, but they return north apparently to capitalize on the rich food and fewer competitors during the breeding season.
Although many people assume that birds migrate to escape cold winter temperatures, birds can actually survive very cold temperatures, as long as they have enough food. Even tiny birds, such as Boreal Chickadees, can survive
temperatures as low as –50°F (–46°C). They survive the long winter months by eating spruce seeds and insects they have stored in the crevices of trees.
Migration is a natural behavior of many species of animals, including birds, moving from one place to another at different times of the year.
Importance of Migration for Birds: Migration is critical to the survival of many bird species, allowing them to find food, avoid inclement weather, and breed in areas optimal for their survival and reproduction.
Purpose of this article: The purpose of this publication is to review the longest migratory bird, its journey, characteristics, and importance, as well as to provide a brief overview of other long-distance migratory birds. Background information on bird migration
Different types of migration: There are two main types of migration: high range and wide range. Altitude migration refers to the movement of birds between high and low elevations, while latitudinal migration refers to the movement of birds between high and low elevations, the northern and southern hemispheres.
Factors Affecting Migration: Several factors can affect bird migration, including day length, temperature, food availability, and other environmental influences and predators.
How far do birds migrate?
It depends on the species. Some birds don’t migrate at all, such as Florida Scrub-Jays, which remain near their area of birth for their entire lives. A few mountain species such as Sooty Grouse just move up and down the mountain
with the seasons. Depending on where they live, individuals of some species, such as American Robins and Dark-eyed Juncos, may move less than a hundred miles.
Other species travel thousands of miles each year. Eastern Kingbirds that nest as far north as Canada’s Yukon, Northwest Territories, Labrador, and Newfoundland migrate all the way to South America for the winter.
Arctic Terns and many shorebirds that nest on Hudson Bay or the Arctic tundra winter in southernmost South America, traveling 24,000 miles (38,625 km) each year between their nesting and wintering grounds. Arctic Terns may travel as far as 1,800 miles (2,897 km) between resting and feeding stops during migration.
Some Pacific Golden-Plovers migrate between western Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands, an overwater journey of more than 3,000 miles (4,827 km). Sooty Shearwaters have the longest migration on record: they travel about 40,000 miles (64,360 km) each year, traversing the Pacific Ocean in figure eights.
The Bird with the Longest Migration
The arctic tern is a small seabird known for its incredible migration. Characteristics of the Arctic Tern: The Arctic Tern is a small bird weighing only 100-120 grams with a wingspan of 40-45 cm. It has a distinctive forked tail, a sharp, hooked beak, and a white body with a black cap on the head.
Journey of the Arctic Tern
Arctic terns make a round-trip journey from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to their wintering grounds in Antarctica, covering a distance of up to 44,000 km. This journey is the longest migratory journey of any bird species on earth, and the tern makes this journey every year of its life.
The arctic tern flies over the open ocean, using the sun, stars, and the earth’s magnetic field to navigate.
Importance of Arctic Tern Migration
Arctic tern migration is an impressive feat of endurance and navigation. The long distances allow the arctic tern to take advantage of the food resources in both the Arctic and Antarctic and avoid predators in both regions.
The migration of the arctic tern also plays an important role in the preservation of ocean ecosystems, as the bird is an important predator of small fish and invertebrates.
Other long-distance migratory birds
Swainson’s Thrush: This bird migrates from its breeding grounds in North America to its wintering grounds in Central and South America, covering a distance of up to 15,000 km. Swainson’s thrush feeds mainly on insects and berries and is known for its beautiful, melodious song.
Common Swifts: These birds breed in Europe and Asia and winter in Africa, flying a distance of up to 22,000 km. Swifts are agile fliers and spend most of their time in the air, feeding on insects and flying insects.
Striped Godwit: This bird breeds in Alaska and migrates to Australia and New Zealand, covering a distance of up to 11,000 km. The marlin is a large shorebird with long legs and a long, straight bill. It feeds on invertebrates and small fish in the intertidal zone.
Adaptations of Birds to Long Migrations
Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement of birds from one place to another.
Importance of Bird Migration: Bird migration is important to their survival and reproduction as they move to find food, favorable breeding conditions, and inclement weather.
Orientation Mechanisms: Birds have evolved several mechanisms to help them navigate during migration, including using the stars, the sun, and the Earth’s magnetic field.
Magnetic compass: Some bird species have a magnetic compass in their eyes that allows them to detect the Earth’s magnetic field, which helps them maintain their direction of migration.
Map Sense – Some birds also have a map sense that allows them to memorize the geographic features of their migration routes, which helps them find their way back to their breeding grounds.
Resistance Adjustments
Energy Storage: In order to survive the long journey, birds store energy in the form of fat, which is burned during flight for energy.B. Aerodynamics: Birds have adapted their bodies to maximize their aerodynamics, which includes streamlined bodies and large, powerful wings.
These adaptations help them conserve energy and fly more efficiently, which is essential for long hikes.
Migrating Behavior: Birds also engage in certain behaviors during migration to conserve energy. They fly high where there is less wind resistance and use thermals to gain altitude.
Energy Saving Adjustments
Sleeping in flight: Some birds have adapted the ability to sleep in flight to save energy during the long journey.
Reduced Metabolism: Birds also have a reduced metabolism during migration, which helps conserve energy and increase their endurance.
Personalized Diet: Birds adjust their diet during migration, consuming high-energy, nutrient-dense food to replenish their energy stores.
Importance of these adaptations: These adaptations are vital for birds to successfully complete their migratory journeys so they can find food, avoid inclement weather, and reproduce in optimal conditions.
Bird adaptations to long migrations is a remarkable example of how animals adapt to their environment. These adaptations help birds overcome the challenges of migration and ensure their survival, making bird migration one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the animal kingdom.
Conclusion
This publication covers the arctic tern, the bird with the longest migration, as well as other long-distance migratory birds. The study of bird migration helps us better understand the natural world and the way birds adapt to their environment.
This blog post discusses the numerous variations that birds have developed to survive the challenges of long migrations, including navigational adaptations, endurance adaptations, and energy-saving adaptation
The incredible journeys of migratory birds are a testament to their resilience and adaptability. These birds face numerous challenges during their migration, but through their determination and incredible navigation skills, they are able to complete their journey year after year.
Studying bird migration offers a unique opportunity to learn about the world around us and the way animals interact with their environment.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.