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Overview
Bird migration captivates us. Where are the birds going? How far will they fly? How do they know when it’s time to leave—and how will they know when to return? Stan Tekiela has been studying and photographing birds of North America for more than 30 years. Now, the award-winning author and naturalist presents his insightful observations about migration and showcases them with his amazing images in a one-of-a-kind coffee-table book.
Stan’s photographs capture the birds as they migrate and depict behaviors that are sure to surprise and delight you, while the text makes for easy yet informative browsing. From the small, night-flying songbirds to the large, day-flying waterfowl and raptors, you’ll develop a new appreciation for our incredible migrators in the United States and Canada.
Discover the wonders of birds and their incredible migratory voyages. Turn to any page and be amazed by Stan’s lively and colorful photography of birds along their migratory routes.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781591938149 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Adventure Publications, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 11/06/2018 |
| Series: | Wildlife Appreciation |
| Pages: | 120 |
| Sales rank: | 672,195 |
| Product dimensions: | 7.40(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
MIGRATION: THE GENESIS
Most everything in nature is tied to the driving forces of the need to feed and the need to breed. Migration is nature’s way for birds to take advantage of new opportunities, whether it’s a prime nesting area in their summertime habitat or abundant food. When migration first began, some species would have adapted to different habitats and flourished, while others would have perished through natural selection.
We don’t know exactly when migration started, but we do have some good theories to help explain the phenomenon. Avian migration evolved over millions of years. Migration allowed birds to expand their range into other areas where there was abundant food, suitable breeding habitats, and no competing birds. When birds moved farther north and discovered untapped provisions and places to nest, the offspring of these explorers most likely continued the habit.
Our planet has changed a lot over the last few million years. Over the past 2.5 million years, North America was greatly influenced by many cycles of advancing and retreating glaciers. The most recent glacial event ended 10,000–15,000 years ago. At that time, the massive ice sheets that covered much of the land were retreating. In many locations, the glaciers were upwards of a mile thick! This means that more than 5,000 feet of ice covered the terrain. The movement of these glaciers had the power to grind down towering mountains into rolling hills and flat plains.
During this time, birds would have stayed well south of the ice fields. Migration might have been just a short trip to find more food and perhaps new territories for nesting where other birds were absent.
As the glaciers receded, more land became available and offered more opportunities for birds. Keep in mind that this was not a one-time event. This kind of epic event happened many times, giving birds many chances to refine their migratory behavior over and over again. Each time, the birds responded and modified their movements to match the changing climate and available resources.
A WINNING STRATEGY FOR SURVIVAL
Migratory biologists look at the act of migration in terms of a simple cost-benefit ratio. If the cost of migrating were more than the benefit, migration would not have evolved. There’s no doubt that the benefits must have outweighed the costs, because around the world we now have billions of birds migrating biannually.
The largest concentration of bird species occurs in the tropics around the equatorial belt. Thousands of bird species are crowded into this region, creating a lot of competition for food and mates. While the tropics offer abundant food and nesting resources, the option of migration brings some relief to the crowded conditions.
At least 4,000 species of birds migrate today. This represents a staggering 40 percent of all bird species. In North America, about 350 different species migrate. Clearly, migration is a winning strategy for survival.
Even now, the birds that return first in the spring claim the best territories with the best sources of food. These birds are the most successful at reproducing. Male migrators tend to arrive at the breeding grounds before the females. With ample food, the males will produce healthy-looking feathers to advertise their prowess and attract the best females.
When available food diminishes and the weather changes, the breeding season ends and birds return to their wintering (non-breeding) grounds. These migratory birds don’t breed during winter, so there’s no reason to claim territories and attract mates. Unlike the breeding season, when fighting for territory is the norm, birds generally coexist very well during the winter months.
Table of Contents
The Mystery of MigrationMigration: The Genesis
A Winning Strategy for Survival
Not All Migration Is the Same
Complete Migrators—Birds You Can Count On
Short-Distance Migrators
Unpredictable Migrators
Birds That Stay Put
Nomadic Spontaneity
Fueling for the Trip
External and Internal Cues
Migratory Restlessness
Hormonal Response
Flight by Day or by Night
Perks of Flying at Night
Making Sense of Navigation
Learned Migration
Navigation Maps
Magnetic Compass Sensitivity
More Than One Sense, One Skill
Circadian Clock Schedule
Using the Stars en Route
Migratory Flyways
Winds and Drift
Flocks vs. Solo Flight
Elevation Challenges
Flight Speeds
Energy in Formations
Destinations, Start to Finish
Rest Stops and Stopovers
Rerouting for Weather
Reverse Migration
Out of Normal Range
Wintering Grounds
It’s Not Easy
A Rhythm for Life
About the Author