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Migratory birds travel enormous distances, and new research has shown that not all of this is achieved by the power of wings. Instead of flying over water, which would be too costly in terms of energy, they are helped by the wind. We’ve all watched them roll along the shore after a few swift flaps of their majestic wings, but scientists have found that migratory birds can travel through the air – sometimes thousands of miles.
The study used ocean and air temperature readings to map the rise or wind that rises from the surface to the sky. Then, by attaching GPS trackers to 65 birds, the researchers who conducted the study collected data on the movements of migratory birds across the oceans. The results demonstrated a correlation between biotracking data and windmaps. The birds carried them in the wind.
“The birds supported the wind as much as possible when choosing sea crossing routes and took higher elevation when suitable wind support was available,” the researchers wrote in their study.
Migratory birds are accustomed to the coast
Although migration patterns were previously understood, this study looks at how… Among the species observed by the researchers was the eastern buzzard. The data showed that buzzards travel from Japan to Southeast Asia in sixteen hours of non-stop flight. They manage to cope with this by overcoming the climbs that form in the autumn months and move them across the East China Sea.
During the hike, they fly into the sky for a kilometer.
Likewise, smaller birds, such as the willow warbler, weighing less than half an ounce, travel even longer distances. This little bird travels 16,000 miles annually and travels between northern Siberia and eastern Africa. This round trip contains very few pit stops along the way. This is possible, in fact, by making yourself passengers in the currents of the wind.
However, the study focused on larger birds such as osprey and falcons, showing a wide variety of bird species using the wind. Data from 9 years show that species such as osprey and falcons tend to use tailwinds more than updraft, and the opposite is true for buzzards. However, most use a combination of the two to complete their journey.
While the study reveals interesting information about how migratory birds achieve their great feats, it also has unsettling implications as the climate changes ocean winds.
Climate change may not bode well for migratory herds
As the world heats up, the climate changes, changing weather patterns. As a result, winds sweeping over the globe change direction, potentially disrupting the flight paths of migratory birds. Research shows that warm rises help transport birds to their feeding and mating grounds. If these air currents change, birds that rely on them may miss out on vital functions that keep them alive.
It is difficult to maintain your appearance without mating. Skipping their hot date would be a disaster for their number. Likewise, failure to reach the destination can lead to starvation and significant loss of bird life. Given the delicate balance of global ecosystems, studies like these help scientists make predictions about the future health of migratory bird species.
The impact of climate change has already been recorded in bird populations. By repurposing weather tracking technology to observe the migration patterns of various bird species, other studies have revealed a shift in the timeline. As summer begins earlier than each year, the birds seem to adjust their own schedule. Research has concluded that many species postpone their travel plans by 2 days per decade. While this sounds insignificant, small changes on a large scale produce impressive results. Minor shifts over time can disrupt the synchronization of these birds with the life cycles of the plants and animals to which they are accustomed.
Moreover, scientists have witnessed how the anatomy of birds has changed in accordance with new climatic conditions. Their bodies contract over time, and their wings expand, allowing them to cool more easily. It seems clear that climate change is already affecting our feathered friends – from migration patterns to anatomy.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are birds forced to move due to climate change?
A study by the National Audubon Society examined the full impact of climate change on birds. They found that of the 588 North American species, 314 will lose half of their range by 2080. Most of them reside in North Carolina. So yes, experts in the field are predicting new “climate ranges” for bird species in the coming decades.
How far do migratory birds fly in a day?
The answer is very broad. It depends on the bird. According to their speed, some travel in small jumps, while others can travel hundreds of miles in one day. Migratory birds fly at 55 miles per hour or slower than 15 miles per hour.
Which bird flies the furthest during migration?
One amazing little bird holds the record for the longest migratory distance in the entire animal kingdom. This honor goes to the Arctic Tern, which weighs 3 to 4 ounces and has a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches. Those known to nest in the Netherlands cover a staggering 56,000 miles. They migrate between their nesting sites in Iceland, Greenland, and the Netherlands, as far south as Antarctica. A journey that spans almost the entire globe, Arctic terns have accumulated enough miles in their 30 years of life to equal three trips to the moon around the world. Of course, their route is winding, as if random, making this difficult path even longer.
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