Understanding the Phenomenon of Why Birds Migrate Every Year

Why do birds migrate (pexels)

YOGYAKARTA - Have you ever looked at the sky and seen a flock of birds forming a V-shaped formation? Of course, many are curious about why birds migrate across distances of up to thousands of kilometers.

This natural phenomenon occurs routinely every year. This winged animal is willing to take a tiring journey to maintain the survival of their species.

The Main Reason Why Birds Migrate

As reported by the Washington State University website, seasonal changes have a massive impact on the availability of food sources in the wild. Winter makes insects hide and fruits stop growing. Birds obviously need to eat every day.

This flock of birds moves simultaneously towards a much warmer area. Tropical areas or other hemispheres that have abundant food.

Hunting for Breeding Locations

Abundant food is very important when birds start building nests and laying eggs. Bird chicks need a high protein nutrient intake from fresh insects. Without this intake, their population is threatened.

Longer days in summer give the advantage of extra time. The bird's parents can hunt for food for a longer time to feed their children. This makes the percentage of eggs hatching much higher.

When did they start their journey?

The time of departure depends heavily on the biological clock and changes in the ambient temperature. Birds are very sensitive to the duration of daily sunlight. As soon as the day shortens, their instinctual alarm goes off.

Physical preparation is carried out weeks before the departure day arrives. They eat greedily to store special fat under the skin. This energy reserve prevents their bodies from starving in the air.

Read also: 7 Strange Facts About Animals That Will Make You Amazed, Curious?

The process of changing old feathers also often occurs just before they fly. The new feathers make the aerodynamics of the bird's wings much more efficient. Feather replacement can significantly reduce wind resistance during travel.

The Secret of Natural Navigation Systems

How did this herd not get lost while crossing the vast ocean? This mystery has long been studied by world biologists. They apparently have a kind of natural compass inside their bodies.

This animal relies on various clues from nature to determine the direction of flight. Some species use the sun's position guide during the day. There are also those who are smart to use the constellations at night.

The ability to sense the earth's magnetic field is the most amazing secret weapon. This magnetic field acts like a natural GPS that is very accurate. They always know exactly where the destination is.

Heavy Challenges During the Journey

Flying far is certainly not a relaxing or risk-free activity. Bad weather and extreme storms can come at any time. This makes many birds fall exhausted halfway.

In addition, the destruction of native habitats due to human activities also adds to the long list of obstacles. The forest where they usually rest has now been transformed into concrete land and makes finding a resting point very difficult.

Facts about Migration

You may not know some amazing facts about the long journey of bird migration. Nature always has a way of making us gasp in awe. Here are some interesting things you need to know:

Arctic seabirds fly from the north pole to the south pole every year. Some species are able to fly non-stop for days across the ocean without eating or drinking. Climate change is now starting to disrupt the departure schedule and navigation routes of flocks of birds. Light pollution in urban areas often makes birds confused and hit the glass of buildings.

Answering the curiosity about why birds migrate, proves how great the instinct of wild animals is to maintain their population. Keep visiting the VOI main page for the latest science and lifestyle information!