Connecticut

NATURE
Science Standards
Science: 3.2.B.3 Describe how different plants and animals are adapted to obtain air, water, food and protection in specific land habitats • 4.2.B.10 Describe how animals, directly or
indirectly, depend on plants to provide the food and energy they need in order to grow and survive • 6.4.C.12 How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival?

Common Core Standards

Math: [Link].7 Add, subtract, multiply or divide decimals • [Link].1 Convert among different sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system and use these in
solving real-world problems Language
Arts: [Link].10 Read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts

WHY DO BIRDS MIGRATE?

Written by Michelle Eckman, Connecticut Audubon Society

Skies, trees, and shorelines fill with a spectacular sight each spring and fall – birds hopping, calling, and soaring in large, sometimes jaw-dropping
numbers. This happens here in Connecticut, and all over the world! Trailing these birds are millions of people with their binoculars, having fun while
observing one of nature’s magical phenomena. In many cases, people can see nearly 100 different types of birds in just 2 hours during these times of
year!

Why is it possible that people get this opportunity to follow birds and see many different species together in a really short period of time? Where are these
birds going? What are they doing? Why are they doing it?

The answer is one word: migration! Migration is the movement that an animal makes from one location to another to meet its various needs of survival and reproduc-
tion. Many different types of animals migrate (examples: insects, bats, buffalo), though we often think of birds when we think of migration. In this article, we are going to
focus on birds because we can pretty much see them anywhere, all year round.

Have you ever thought about why birds migrate? The reasons why they migrate aren’t often what people think. When I have asked adults and children this question, they usu-
ally say the same things: “because it’s too cold here in the winter” or “because it’s too hot in the south.” These answers aren’t really wrong, but they aren’t really right, either.
You’re probably asking yourself “What on earth is she talking about?” Let’s dig into this a little deeper and you will see what I mean…

Birds, like all organisms on earth, have adaptations that allow them to survive and reproduce in their habitat. Birds have some adaptations that make them marvels of both the
earth and sky – and some in the ocean! Because we live in Connecticut, we will focus on the birds that spend some time here. It’s important that we spend a moment talking
about our climate here in Connecticut because that plays a role in the story of bird migration.

Connecticut is in what is called a temperate climate. Do you know what makes a temperate climate unique compared to, say, a tropical climate? Look closely at the word “tem-
perate” – does it remind you of another word you hear everyday? Temperate is a word similar to temperature. And this is what makes temperate climates different than others
– temperatures change a lot in a temperate climate. Our temperatures change a lot throughout the year, throughout the seasons, and even within the course of a single day!

It is amazing that birds from temperate climates like ours can survive really cold temperatures, while also being able to tolerate warmer conditions. They can survive the most
frigid temperatures high in our atmosphere. Most birds can fly at least 1.8 miles above earth’s surface where the average temperature is -40°F! These same birds can also
survive in the summer when temperatures on the ground can often reach 90°F - what an incredible range of temperatures! How do they do that?

They can survive in these extremes because birds have the most efficient respiratory systems of any animal on the planet. They can breathe very high in the atmosphere
where there are very low oxygen levels. And, since they can breathe in cold and hot temperatures, high or low in the atmosphere, they can control their internal temperatures
by cooling off or warming themselves quickly. Perhaps you are asking yourself “If birds can survive in really cold and really warm temperatures, why do they bother migrating at
all?”

That is an excellent question. Migrating takes tons of energy. Birds that migrate, called migratory birds, fly thousands of miles twice a year – that is no easy accomplishment.
Think back to our temperate climate - what happens every winter? What are our temperatures like? They tend to be pretty cold, right? We know birds can survive those condi-
tions, but are there any other organisms that might not be able to tolerate the cold? Think about it, are there some critters you tend not to see in the wintertime? Tiny creatures,
some that “bug” you in the summer? You got it – insects!

What do many birds eat? Bugs! And most flying insects are not able to survive cold temperatures, so birds have to leave to warmer climates in Central and South America
where they can find food to survive in the winter. It’s all about the food! Consider ducks, especially those that eat plants that grow on the bottom of ponds and lakes. If tempera-
tures are cold enough in winter, what happens to these wetlands? They freeze. Can ducks swim in frozen water? They cannot, so many ducks migrate, too.

Raptors like hawks, eagles and vultures migrate, too. Raptors eat other animals, usually small mammals like rodents. What do these small mammals do in the winter? They
hibernate, making it very difficult for raptors to find them. Just like insect- and plant-eating birds, many raptors migrate to warmer climates, too.

We have been focusing on why birds migrate south from our temperate climate, but this is only part of the story. These migratory birds come back to our temperate climate
every spring. If they migrated south because they could find food there, and if it is all about the food, why would they bother to leave and fly all
the way back north again? Why do they do all of that work?

Well, it is all about the food AND about making sure to find a mate and have young. It takes a LOT of food to raise young birds. Every late
winter and early spring, temperatures start to warm and the days begin to get longer. Trees start to bud new leaves and insects start to
hatch from their eggs. LOTS of leaves, LOTS of insects – a bounty of food! After spending a few months eating in Central and South
America, migratory birds start to head back up north to take advantage of this bounty of food. Their instincts tell them there will be more
food up north to help them raise young, and so they make the journey – in reverse- all over again.

Next time you are outside or look out the window, look for birds. At this time of year, most of the birds you see are not going to migrate.
We call these “resident birds;” they live here all year long. By now you should be able to answer this question: “Why don’t they mi-
grate?” Because they can find plenty of food to eat all winter! Chances are, most of these birds are finding food at bird feeders that
people put in their yards. Feeding birds in your yard in the winter is a great way to care for nature and enjoy looking at these amazing

Activity
creatures that can survive in our challenging but beautiful temperate climate.

Student
Activity: Procedures:
When birds migrate, wind comes in very handy to make 1. Using the hole punch, punch one hole in each of the paper cups, about ∏” below the rim.
it easier for them to fly. On any given day, you can go
outside and see if it might be a good day for migration by
2. With the marker or crayon, color the outside of just one of the cups. This will make it easier to
count the number of revolutions per minute when you are ready to use your homemade an-
measuring the wind for yourself. Scientists measure wind
emometer.
speed using a tool called an anemometer. You can make
your own anemometer with materials you can easily find at 3. In one cup (NOT the colored cup), punch 4 evenly-spaced holes about π “ below the rim.
home and a local store. This cup will be at the center of the anemometer, to which the other 4 cups will connect.
4. Push a straw through the hole of the colored cup. Fold down the tip of the straw inside the
cup, and staple it to the opposite side of the cup.
5. Push the straw through two opposite holes in the 4-hole cup. Attach another cup to the op-
Materials: posite end of the straw. Make sure that the second cup faces the opposite direction from the
• 5 3-ounce paper cups • Colored marker or crayon first cup.
• Hole punch • One straight pin • Pencil (with eraser) 6. Repeat the above step with the other two cups and straw.
• Scissors • Stapler • Two straight plastic straws
7. Position the four cups so that the openings face the same direction. Make sure the cups are
• Stopwatch or watch with a second hand
all the same distance from the center.
8. Poke a hole in the bottom of the center cup. Push the eraser end of the pencil through the
hole.
9. Push the pin through the intersection of the two straws. Then push it into the eraser as far
as possible.