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How Do Birds Migrate?

AnimalsNature

Quick Answer

Birds navigate using a combination of the Sun, stars, Earth magnetic field, landmarks, and even smell to travel thousands of kilometres between breeding and wintering grounds.

The Full Story

Bird migration is one of nature most remarkable feats. Triggered by changing day length and hormonal shifts, migratory birds build up fat reserves and embark on journeys that can span thousands of kilometres. They navigate using multiple cues: the Sun position during the day, star patterns at night, and a built-in magnetic compass — special proteins (cryptochromes) in their eyes may actually allow them to "see" magnetic field lines. Some species also follow coastlines, rivers, and mountain ranges, and experiments show certain birds use smell to find their way. The Arctic tern holds the migration record, travelling about 71,000 km per year between the Arctic and Antarctic.

Key Facts

1.The Arctic tern migrates farther than any other animal, covering roughly 71,000 km round trip each year.
2.Bar-tailed godwits hold the record for the longest non-stop flight: about 13,000 km from Alaska to New Zealand without resting.
3.An estimated 50 billion birds migrate annually worldwide.

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"How Birds Find Their Way — The Science of Migration"