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Neotropical migratory birds:

A bird that breeds in Canada and the United States during our summer and spends our winter in Mexico, Central America, South America or the Caribbean Islands.

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

As the warm weather returns to Canada, so do thousands of birds that have spent their winter in warmer climates.
North American migration yways

Songbirds Raptors

Shorebirds Waterfowl

Why do they y so far?

To take advantage of seasonally abundant food and to avoid times or places where food and other resources are scarce. In Canada, food that migratory birds need ying insects, caterpillars, fruits and nectar are not su ciently available throughout the winter.

300-4,000

Central Flyway Pacic Flyway Atlantic Flyway Mississippi Flyway

140-960

There are about 200 species of Neotropical migratory birds that are broken up into 4 categories:

Robins begin their return to nesting grounds each spring in about February. The males arrive at their breeding grounds rst with the females following about a week behind.

A sure sign of spring

Geographical mapping:

Remembering di erent landforms from past journeys Star orientation: For birds that travel at night Learned routes: Some birds learn migration from their parents Magnetic sensing: Many birds can sense the Earths magnetic eld helps birds orient themselves for long journeys

30-160

200

60-1,200
Purple Martin Cli Swallow

Bluewinged Teal

Swainsons Thrush

Swainsons Hawk

American Redstart

Barn Swallow

Broadwinged Hawk

Red Knot

Songbirds Shorebirds Waterfowl

Raptors

Songbirds Shorebirds Waterfowl

Raptors

Neotropical birds one-way migration

Distance: 965-7,000 kms Summer: SE Canada, E U.S. Winter: NW South America

Scarlet Tanager

Distance: 3,500-7,242 kms Summer: SE Canada, E U.S. Winter: NW South America

Cerulean Warbler

Distance: 482-4,828 kms Summer: SE Canada, E U.S. Winter: Florida, West Indies, Mexico to Nicaragua

Northern Parula

Distance: 965-6,035 kms Summer: SE Canada, E U.S. Winter: Mexico to Panama

Wood Thrush

Distance: 4,023-8,046 kms Summer: Alaska, Canada, New England Winter: N South America

Blackpoll Warbler

Distance: 965-9,656 kms Summer: S Canada, U.S., Mexico Winter: Brazil, Bolivia to N Argentina

Distance: 2,414-16,093 kms Summer: N Canada Winter: C U.S. to South America

Sources: nationalzoo.si.edu; borealforests.org

Red Knot

Distance: 4,023-10,943 kms Summer: Canada, U.S. Winter: Colombia to C Argentina

Common Nighthawk

Distance: 8,046-10,943 kms Summer: S Canada, N U.S. Winter: S Brazil to N Argentina

Bobolink

Distance: 6,035-12,070 kms Summer: SW Canada, W U.S. Winter: S Brazil to C Argentina

Swainsons Hawk

Distance: 2,414-14,500 kms Summer: Alaska, N Canada, Winter: S U.S., West Indies, South America

Lesser Yellowlegs

Distance: 2,011-10,943 kms Summer: Alaska, Canada, U.S., N Mexico Winter: Brazil, Bolivia/Argentina

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY TARA CORRAN/QMI AGENCY

200-1,200

170

50-80

150

160

15-50

30-65

30-70

Typical ight speed, km/h

150-2,000

Typical daily migration, km

100-480

How do birds migrate?

Typical ight altitude, metres