Migratory Birds in Idaho Who, Why and How? Terry Rich U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners in Flight.

Migratory Birds in IdahoWho, Why and How?

Terry RichU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Partners in Flight

What is Migration?

Migration is predictable movement of an animal from one location and climate to another.

Linked to food or other resources.

Migratory animals generally make one round trip each year.

Birds–Breeding and nonbreeding ranges

Why would a bird migrate?

What Migrates?

Largest group of daytime migrants – hawks

Depend on rising air currents called thermals

Can see landmarks on the ground wellRiversMountain chains

Diurnal Migration

Thermal Formation

River of Raptors(Rio des Rapaces)

4-6 million raptors migrate through every year

Arctic Tern migrates from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back again each

year – 19,000 km (12,000 mi) each way!

Most birds migrate only at night

Less windy

Cooler

Few predators

Use the stars, sounds, landmarks to find the way

Nocturnal Migration

Breeding birds that leave in winter

Birds that breed north of Idaho and migrate through to the south

Birds that breed north of Idaho and winter here

Altitudinal migrants

Residents

Species with variable behavior

Migratory Birds in Idaho

Common NighthawkBlack-chinned HummingbirdWestern KingbirdBarn SwallowYellow WarblerBullock’s OrioleWestern TanagerLazuli Bunting

Breeding Birds that Leave in Winter

Pacific Golden-PloverAmerican Golden-PloverLong-billed DowitcherSolitary SandpiperWestern Sandpiper

Birds that Breed North of Idaho and Migrate through to the South

Rough-legged HawkGyrfalconMerlinSnow BuntingAmerican Tree Sparrow

Birds that Breed North of Idaho and Winter Here

Dark-eyed JuncoSharp-shinned HawkPine SiskinPine GrosbeakBlack Rosy Finch

Altitudinal Migrants

Residents – Don’t Migrate

Partial Migrants

Who is on our feeders in winter?

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