Where do birds go in winter?

Tree Swallow

With chill in the night air, winter can't be far away. You'll continue to see cardinals, chickadees, goldfinches and many other species throughout the winter. But other backyard species prefer warmer regions where insects and other invertebrates remain available. So where do these birds go for the winter?

Gray Catbird: southern Atlantic Coast of Florida and along the Gulf Coast, into Mexico.

Tree Swallow: Southern Carolina coast south and along the Gulf Coast to Texas.

House Wren: Georgia coast to southern Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: central Mexico (after flying across the Gulf of Mexico).

Chipping Sparrow: Florida and the Gulf Coast, into Mexico.

Chimney Swift: a long-distance migrator. South America via the Gulf of Mexico or along the Texas coast and then heading south.

Purple Martin: another long-distance migrator. South America—as far south as Argentina—via the Gulf of Mexico.

Baltimore Oriole: Georgia coast and into Florida.

Brown-headed Cowbird: Florida peninsula.