ANIMALS IN WINTER - MIGRATION



blue bird


Animals "migrate" or travel to warmer places where they can find food, shelter and water.

Some birds migrate for the winter and some birds stay all winter.

There are a few animals that migrate - the Monarch butterfly, caribou, moose, wapiti (elk) and some species of bats.




THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

Canada Geese



Vs of migrating geese and ducks can be seen in the sky in the fall. Not all birds fly in a V.

Many birds migrate to where they can find food for the winter months.

Geese, ducks, and other waterfowl use the same flyway year after year.

There are four main flyways in North America.

Birds have to eat alot of food to store fat for their journey.

Birds fly south at different times of the year. This depends on how far north they live and when their food supply is disppearing.

Mallard ducks do not fly south until they really have to ... sometimes as late as December.


bird flying

DANGERS DURING MIGRATION


It requires alot of energy to make the trips, so birds must find places to get food during their flights.If they can't find food, they become too weak and are caught by predators (enemies).

Farmers do not want ducks and geese to settle on their fields and eat the grain. Hunters kill ducks and geese.

Strong winds can blow birds off their course.

Birds can get caught in storms and other bad weather.

Sometimes birds fly into tall buildings or towers.

Safe places for birds to stop, rest and eat are disappearing.

snowgoose

Why don't birds get lost?


  • Some birds fly at night and use the stars to help them.
  • Birds that fly during the day use the position of the sun as a guide.
  • Waterfowl follow rivers.
  • Hawks and eagles follow mountain ranges.
  • Scientists cannot fully explain how birds find their way.




WINTER BIRDS

Many birds are able to survive the cold, harsh winter. These birds have special ways to keep warm and to search for food.


Go to WINTER BIRDS


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J.Giannetta
jgiannet@hotmail.com
1998
updated 2011

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