Migration is at its peak

Arctic Tern: pole to pole traveler

For bird enthusiasts, October's bird event is spying on birds as they migrate. In North America, most species migrate to some extent, with more than 350 species traveling to the tropics each fall. October is the perfect time to spot winged travelers.

At least 4,000 species of North American birds are regular migrants. Some travel long distances; others move shorter distances, such as the span of several states or simply from higher elevations in the mountains to lower elevations. 

Birds can reach great heights as they migrate. Bar-headed Geese regularly reach altitudes of up to 5½ miles above sea level while flying over the Himalayas in India.

The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any bird. Terns can fly more than 49,700 miles in a year, making a round trip between breeding grounds in the Arctic and Antarctic. During a life span of 30 years, the flights can add up to the equivalent of three trips to the moon and back.

Great Snipe: Speed king

The Northern Wheater travels up to 9,000 miles each way between the Arctic and Africa, giving it one of the largest ranges of any songbird. This bird is a tiny bird weighing less than an ounce.

The bird with the fastest migration is the Great Snipe. It flies 4,200 miles at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. No other bird travels at such speeds for long distances. The Great Snipe usually utilizes tailwinds to help them go faster, but their speed does not seem to be the result of that.

The Bar-tailed Godwit can fly for nearly 7,000 miles without stopping, making their migration the longest recorded non-stop flight. They do not stop for food or rest.

Migration can be very dangerous. Harsh weather may play a role but on many occasions human activities are the cause of untimely deaths. In the United States alone, nearly one billion birds die each year from window collisions.

To prepare for the long flight, birds bulk up on food during the preceding weeks to build up fat reserves. These reserves are later used for energy on their long journeys. The Blackpoll Warbler doubles its weight before flight.

Even birds that don't fly migrate. In Australia, Emus often travel for miles on food to find food. Also, many populations of penguins migrate by swimming.