Amazing Migration Facts
Each year, 4 billion birds migrate south over the United States, with only 2.6 billion returning in the spring. This difference is due to young birds born during the summer flying south with their parents.
Birds such as Canada geese migrate during the day, relying on visual cues to fly in their signature V formation, avoiding collisions and maintaining aerodynamic position.
- Broad-winged hawks use thermals to propel themselves on their migration south.
- Some species of hawks and falcons utilize thermal updrafts to convey them upward, then glide down to find the next updraft, conserving energy.
Some birds, such as Canada geese, migrate during the day.
Author's summary: Birds migrate using various techniques.