Amazing Migration Facts
Approximately 4 billion birds migrate south over the United States each season, with only 2.6 billion returning in the spring.
Birds such as Canada geese migrate during the day, relying on visual cues to maintain their V formation and avoid collisions.
- Broad-winged hawks use thermals to propel themselves on their migration south.
- Some species of hawks and falcons utilize thermal updrafts to convey them on their way, saving energy by gliding between updrafts.
They need visual cues to fly in their well-known V formation. If they don’t watch where they go, they crash into other birds or will not stay in the correct aerodynamic position.
Birds prepare for migration by fattening up to burn 150,000 calories per day, with some even sleep-flying during their journey.
Author's summary: Birds migrate in surprising ways, using thermals and visual cues to conserve energy.