Migratory birds: TOP-30 with names and descriptions of species, their features
Everyone knows from school that many birds fly away to warmer climes with the advent of cold weather. However, not everyone knows which representatives of birds go on long journeys in search of good conditions. Below is the TOP 30 migratory birds with names and descriptions. It will help you better understand the structure of wildlife in a particular area.
Rook
This migratory bird belongs to the Raven family. Rooks make nests in the upper parts of trees. These birds are considered omnivores. They willingly eat earthworms and plant seeds.Also, rooks often feed on May beetles. In addition, birds eat small rodents and amphibians.
Rooks fly away in October. These are quite early birds that prefer to return back in March. At the same time, the researchers noticed that in some regions these birds lead a sedentary lifestyle, staying there for the winter.
City Swallow
These are relatively small birds that require a lot of effort to cover significant distances. Therefore, swallows reach the warm edges gradually. They need to constantly stop to rest.
The city swallows fly to Turkey for the winter. It is in this country that the most favorable climate for them is observed. Birds fly away in September, and return back in early May. It is noteworthy that the swallows fly into their own nests, created by them last year, and continue to use them for life.
Barn Swallow
In appearance, the barn swallow almost does not differ from its relatives. She's just a little bigger. This bird belongs to the Swallow family and has a wide habitat. These birds are found on all continents. The only exceptions are Antarctica and Australia.
The female and the male who created a couple are no longer separated. They also fly to warmer climes together. Barn swallows cannot fly high into the air. At the same time, they are able to fly longer distances at a time than urban ones.
The migration of Barn Swallows starts at the end of September. At the same time, the end point of their journey may be South or Southeast Asia. Also, these birds can fly to Turkey. Barn swallows take 2-2.5 months to migrate. At the same time, they return to their native lands on the tenth of May.
Goose
This is a fairly large bird that belongs to the Duck family. A distinctive feature of this species of birds is an unusual beak. Also, geese are characterized by a developed layer of down.
Birds fly only at night. Geese live in pairs but migrate in shoals, which are distinguished by a pronounced wedge-shaped structure. Each pack has its own leader who shows her the way.
Geese start migrating in September-October. The place for wintering of these birds can be any place in Europe that has a temperate climate. In more rare cases, geese may fly to Japan or South Korea. The flight itself takes the birds at least 2 weeks. They return in mid-April.
Gray Heron
These birds leave early for the winter. Individuals form flocks at the end of August and begin their journey. This species of birds is characterized by large wings. Thanks to this, herons can cover considerable distances at a time.
The height of flight of birds reaches 2 kilometers above the ground. Therefore, during the migration, they are almost impossible to see. The movements of gray herons can only be tracked by scientists. As a place for wintering, these birds choose Holland and Scotland. They are attracted to a large amount of food and local climatic conditions.
Black Swift
These birds leave for wintering in the first half of August. To get to warm countries, black swifts need 3-4 weeks. They fly in flocks and from time to time stop to rest.
Black Swifts fly with impressive speed. In addition, these birds have an excellent reaction, which allows them to eat insects right on the fly. This makes it possible for the birds not to make additional stops to find food for themselves. The process of hunting is simplified by the fact that these birds migrate mainly during the day. This gives them the ability to see prey perfectly.For the winter, black swifts fly to the island of Madagascar and to the warm countries of Africa. They like the hot climate and the abundance of insects.
Common Nightingale
This bird belongs to the Flycatcher family. In appearance, the nightingale is very nondescript, but many people know him for his outstanding singing. It consists of clicks, whistles and trills.
Nightingales mostly live in European countries and in Siberia. They have a mixed diet that consists of worms, nuts, and seeds. Also, these birds feed on insects and berries. When choosing a nesting site, nightingales are guided by a sufficient amount of moisture and light.
These birds fly to warmer climes at the end of September. For wintering, they choose the eastern and northeastern regions of Africa. It takes 1-1.5 months for this species of birds to travel. At the same time, they return home at the end of May or in the first half of June.
Common Starling
This bird has long and very successfully adapted to life around people. Starlings are more likely to build nests in buildings than in open areas. Often, representatives of the Skvortsov family settle under the roofs of rural houses. This provides them with constant access to food.
Starlings live in almost the entire territory of European countries, which have a temperate climate. Also, these birds are found in Siberia. This species of birds is characterized by a rather expressive appearance. They have rich black plumage and a bright yellow beak.
Common starlings migrate at the end of October. For wintering, they choose southern European countries, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East. Also, the wintering place can be the northern or northeastern regions of Africa. In more rare cases, common starlings choose the northern part of India for themselves.It takes them 3-7 weeks to fly. Birds return home from early March to mid-May. Specific dates depend on local climatic conditions.
Common Cuckoo
This bird has a gray plumage and is slightly smaller than a dove in size. It is common in different areas - from tundra to semi-deserts. Cuckoos are polygamous birds. They toss their eggs into the nests of small sparrow birds.
As the cuckoo grows, it may throw other chicks out of the nest. However, foster parents continue to feed him. Adults are gluttonous and active. They eat grasshoppers, caterpillars, slugs all day long. Cuckoo flights are carried out one by one. In this case, adults fly out earlier. This takes place at the end of August. For wintering, these birds choose Arabia, Asia and Africa.
White stork
Earlier, these birds lived mainly in the Leningrad region. However, today their distribution area has increased significantly. This has led to the fact that the places for wintering have become much more diverse. Moreover, they directly depend on the place of residence of the stork. Today these birds fly to Africa and India.
It is noteworthy that during the flight, storks soar high into the sky and maneuver with the help of accompanying air currents. As a result, they don't get tired as much. People often watch the migration of storks. However, they do not fly over the seas, but mainly travel over cities and plains. Due to this, the birds do not have problems if an urgent landing is needed.
Swan
These birds live near water bodies and fly away to warmer climes for the winter because the water freezes. Birds have large wings that allow them to freely reach the coast of the Caspian and Black Seas. Swans also often migrate to Asian waters.
These birds can easily withstand the cold. If the water at the place of residence of the swans does not freeze, they can stay in these parts for the winter. In this case, the birds do not fly south.
Crane
These birds belong to the Cranes family. At the end of the summer, they gather in large groups, which number up to several thousand individuals, in safety and begin preparations for migration. The large size of the birds force them to spend a lot of energy on the flight.
Cranes mostly nest in swamps surrounded by forests. If they are not there, birds can live near agricultural land - near water bodies and pastures. Elevated places are suitable for wintering for birds, which are densely covered with greenery.
Such birds begin their migration in September-October. They fly to India, Spain, France, to the eastern part of China. Also, birds can choose northeast Africa for wintering.The flight takes a lot of time for cranes - 4-6 weeks. They return home in April. At the same time, the main reason for crane flights is not the cold, but the lack of food.
Singing Thrush
The song thrush belongs to the Drozdov family. Mostly these birds live in forests with dense undergrowth, forming large flocks. This species of birds is characterized by an extensive habitat. In many regions, birds lead a sedentary lifestyle. They are able to survive winter in temperate climates.
Singing thrushes have a mixed diet. Its basis is berries and worms. The birds travel in large flocks. At the same time, adults actively care for young birds, helping them overcome the path. The flight of thrushes is carried out mainly at night.
These birds fly to warmer climes in the second half of October. At the same time, they winter in northern Africa, as well as in the southern or western countries of Europe. Birds are on the road for 2.5-3 weeks. At the same time, they return back in mid-April.
Quail
This is the only migratory bird that belongs to the Partridge family. Quails have adapted to life with people for a long time and develop normally even in captivity. They are characterized by a mixed diet, which includes larvae, worms, seeds. Quail also willingly eat young green sprouts.
The migration of this species of birds includes 2 stages. First, males go to warmer climes. They must explore the path and settle down in a new place. After the arrival of the females, the territory is already arranged - everything is prepared for nesting there.
The first wave of quail migration begins in the first half of September, and the second - in mid-October. For wintering birds choose the Mediterranean. At the same time, they mainly settle in the Balkans and in the Middle Eastern countries. Birds take up to 1 month to migrate. They return back at the beginning of May.
Field lark
The name of this bird is due to the fact that it builds nests right in the ground, in a meadow or in a field. It is important that the place is free and open. Representatives of the Zhavoronkov family are used to settling in large colonies. They eat worms, insects and their larvae.
These birds are sure to return to their habitat. Moreover, they dig their nests right out of the snow. Sometimes birds have to restore their homes almost from the beginning. However, the process goes by pretty quickly with common efforts.
Field larks start migrating in the first half of September. At the same time, they winter in the south of Europe or in the Mediterranean countries. The birds are on the way for 2-3 weeks. They return home in the middle of March.
Finch
This little bird is known for its booming trills. Finches live in forest areas, gardens, parks. They equip their nests in low trees. Adults eat caterpillars, worms and seeds.
For wintering, finches move to the Caucasus or to the southern countries of Europe. Some individuals simply migrate south. Birds arrive in early April, and eggs begin to be laid in a month.
Oriole
This songbird has a bright color and lives in the center of Europe. Oriole chooses mixed forests and groves for life. This species of birds tries to remain invisible, therefore it builds nests in the crowns of trees. In appearance, they look like baskets.
The Oriole is considered a rather cautious bird. She tries not to fly off the branches. Adult birds eat beetles, caterpillars and snails. This bird is very valuable in terms of forestry. In summer, the oriole feeds on the fruits of mulberries, bird cherry and all kinds of berries.
In August, birds fly away for the winter to India and African countries. They return home only in May - after a good warming up of the air.
White Wagtail
This bird moves well on the ground and actively absorbs insects. The white wagtail builds its nests near rivers or close to settlements. In the first half of September, the bird flies to the Mediterranean countries. She spends the winter there. After returning, the wagtail can settle in its own nest, provided that it is preserved.
In the south of the Russian Federation, birds do not fly away for the winter. They feel good even at low temperatures. The same applies to insects, which form the basis of the diet of birds. Thanks to this, the bird can freely survive the cold in its nest, from time to time flying out in search of food.
robin
This bird is considered the closest relative of the nightingale and belongs to the same Flycatcher family. However, in appearance they differ significantly.At the same time, birds have an obvious similarity in singing. The robin builds its nests in forests, preferring spruce forests. If possible, the bird prefers to settle near water bodies.
The robin has a mixed diet. At the same time, insects are considered its basis. These birds do not flock. In warmer climes, they also fly one by one. In the spring, robins do not try to find last year's nest, but immediately start building a new one.
Migration of robins begins on the twentieth of September. They fly to the south of Europe and to the north of Africa. These birds spend 3-5 weeks on the way. At the same time, they return home at the end of April.
River Cricket
This type of bird belongs to the Sparrow order. Its representatives are large in size and have a brown body with green feathers. Also, river crickets are characterized by pink legs and a dark beak.
The bird inhabits large areas from the west of Siberia to the center of Europe. For the winter, the river cricket moves towards the tropical parts of Africa. He flies there in mid-July and by December he gets to the place. River crickets return in the middle of spring.
Belobrovik
For life, the redwing chooses coniferous forests and birch groves. Often it can be found in the tundra. This bird is considered an omnivore. The basis of its diet are insects and earthworms. Redwing also actively absorbs hawthorn and mountain ash. For the winter, this small bird moves to the southern regions. It can also reach African countries.
Beregovushka
This is one of the species of swallows that is listed in the Red Book. The shorebird prefers to live in ditches, quarries, on clay shores. These birds do not fly to cities. Sometimes they can settle in the cracks of abandoned houses.
For the winter, birds fly to southeast Africa or India. This happens at the end of August or at the beginning of September. Back the bird returns to the middle of spring. The shorebird migrates in a flock. Birds can travel up to 200 kilometers per day.
Woodcock
This is a fairly large bird with a thin beak and short legs. For the winter, she moves to Afghanistan or India. Woodcock can also fly to Iran, Ceylon or North Africa.
Bird migration begins in October - with the onset of the first cold weather. At this time, they appear in places where they have not nested before. This is the main sign of the beginning of the migration.
Bowtail
This migratory bird belongs to the Snipe family. It is characterized by an attractive appearance and long legs.The godwit settles in swamps. It also lives near lakes and reservoirs. In addition, nests of birds can be seen in low, damp places and in perennial grasses.
The godwit lives in Eurasia and North America. For wintering, he flies to African countries, Indonesia, Australia. Also birds can migrate to South America.
Vertineck
This bird is considered the closest relative of the woodpecker. However, unlike him, the wryneck is a migratory individual. The basis of the bird's diet are fruits, berries, small ants. She also feeds on pupae and larvae.
For wintering, the wryneck moves to the south of Asia or Africa. At the same time, the bird chooses for life hollows abandoned by woodpeckers.
Tie
This species of birds belongs to the Charadriiformes family.It is characterized by small size. The necktie lives in the arctic part of Eurasia. It mainly lives on the coast of the seas. Also, the bird can be found near rivers and lakes. Nesting occurs only in the warm season. For the winter, the tie goes to warmer climes. With the advent of spring, he returns to the same place from which he flew away.
Black Thrush
This is a fairly large warm-blooded bird. The largest specimens live in Russia and Ukraine. The basis of the diet of birds are seeds, berries, worms and insects. With the advent of cold weather, the blackbird moves to warmer climes.
Zaryanka
This migratory bird is distinguished by its variegated coloration and friendly disposition. She lives in Africa, Russia, Eurasia. The robin can also be found on the coast of the North Sea. For life, she usually chooses thickets of alder and hazel.The bird also nests in dense forests. With the advent of cold weather, the robin flies to Africa and the Caucasus. The bird returns back in early April.
Badger Warbler
This bird is widespread in European countries. It is found in Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, Finland. The badger warbler also picks off in Sri Lanka and Asia Minor. In most cases, it lives in gardens and shrubs. At the same time, the bird chooses an area near water bodies.
This type of bird needs warmth, so migration starts quite early. In most cases, the warbler flies to India. Birds that live in Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan do not fly away for the winter.
Coot
This is a waterfowl from the Shepherd family. She starts migrating in September-November. At the same time, birds return back from March to May.
Migratory birds amaze with their diversity. Today, many names of birds are known, which leave their usual habitats and move to warmer climes. With the arrival of warmth, they return home again.
