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The migration of birds is one of its most surprising biological characteristics. All migration is marked by the biological clock of each species of bird, depending on its climatic, nutritional and / or reproductive needs. However, it is important to note that not all species of birds that inhabit the length and breadth of the planet feel the need to migrate, since many are also birds capable of remaining in their natural habitats, as long as they have sufficient adaptation. to survive in its habitat throughout the year, also having the nutritional and reproductive needs covered without problems.
If you want to learn more about migrating birds, don't miss this interesting article by Ecologist Verde in which we tell you all about migratory birds: names and photos.
What are migratory birds and their characteristics
To the group of migratory birds belong all those species of birds (flying and flightless, aquatic or terrestrial), which they move year after year, at the beginning of a certain season, to reach other regions of the planet where they can successfully cover their nutritional and reproductive needs.
Between the main characteristics of migratory birds we find:
- Strong and robust anatomy that allows them to travel thousands of kilometers.
- Immune system adapted to the possibility of contracting diseases and parasites while traveling from one country or continent to another.
- Ability to change their physiognomy, to optimally adapt to the environmental changes that they usually suffer during their routes.
- Impressive sense of direction.
In the next section we will see in more detail the magnificence of its sense of orientation, as well as all the surprises that the migration process hides under the wings and brains of migratory birds. In addition, in this other Green Ecologist article you can learn more about Which animals migrate and why they do so, since birds are not the only ones with this behavior.
How is the migration of birds
Without a doubt, the bird migration It is a natural phenomenon that leaves no one indifferent, since doubts like these arise: how are they able to recognize the destination of their migration and be clear about both the direction and the route of their travels? And, even more interesting, how do migratory birds know that the right time has come to change countries or even continents?
The answer is in the Genetic information they possess, which makes it possible for all migrating birds to have developed the ability to migrate across the globe. For this they use internal sensors that, forming part of the biological clock of the animal, allow the control of its movements according to the synchronization with the solar clock. Thus, they use information from the sun, as well as from "celestial compasses" (the moon and the stars), as well as from the Earth's magnetic field. Later, by processing all this information, they are able to create a cognitive map that allows them to orient themselves at all times during their migration trips.
Thanks to the capacity of learning and memory that migrating birds have, each year, when spring or autumn arrives, they are ready to venture again and migrate in search of food and warmer temperatures.
Names of migratory birds with photos
Now that we know the main characteristics that all migratory birds in the world share, as well as how the migration process works, let's take a closer look at some of the many birds that migrate. To do this, classified according to the migration route they carry out, we will put names and photos of 20 migratory birds:
Migratory birds of the Eastern Atlantic route
- White stork (Ciconia ciconia)
- Black dovetail (Milvus migrans)
- Booted EagleAquila pennata)
- Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- Common swallow (Hirundo rustica)
- Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
- Common starlingSturnus vulgaris)
- Sapper plane (Riparia riparia)
- Common teal (Anas crecca)
- Common swift (Micropus apus apus)
Migratory birds of the Central Asia and South Asia route
- Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
- Arctic gull (Platalea leucorodia)
- Common crane (Grus grus)
- Marsh bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
- Musical mosquito net (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Migratory birds of the Pacific route
- Colipint needle (Lapponic limosa)
- Arctic ternSterna paradisaea)
- Shadow Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
- Reddish sandpiper (Calidris canutus)
- Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)
If you want to read more articles similar to Migratory birds: names and photos, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- Gwinner, E. (2003) Circannual rhythms in birds. Current opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 13 (6), pp: 770-778.
- Fanjus de Moles, M. L. (2007) Animal navigation. Online magazine Research and Science, pp: 66-73.
- Pérez-Tris, J. & Santos, T. (2004) The study of bird migration in Spain: historical trajectory and future prospects. Ardeola, Volume 51 (1), pp: 71-89.
- Guide to the birds of Spain. SEO BirdLife.
