Since we see eastern bluebirds in Georgia throughout the entire year, one would think bluebirds do not migrate. However, the truth is some do and some do not. For that reason, ornithologists call them partial migrants. In you think the bluebird’s migratory behavior is a bit odd, you are not alone. Even the men and women who study these fascinating birds are having difficulty unraveling the mysteries swirling about the migratory behavior of this beautiful bird.
For example, biologists have been unable to identify the routes used by the birds during migration. Similarly, they have yet to figure out why some bluebirds migrate, and others stay at home throughout the winter months. Likewise, we do not understand why some southbound migrants fly past their traditional wintering grounds in the South and wing their way to Bermuda and Cuba.
Here are a few things we do know. Some bluebirds hatched in the South and the central United States don’t migrate at all, preferring to remain on their breeding territories throughout the winter. Others migrate just a few miles.
As a rule, practically all of the birds raised in southern Canada and the Northeast migrate. The vast majority of these bluebirds spend the winter in the Southeast.
I cannot help but wonder when some of these mysteries will be unlocked. In the meantime, whenever I see a bluebird during the winter, I wonder if was raised locally are near in Columbus, Ohio, Brookfield, Massachusetts or some other locale miles and miles from Georgia.
5 thoughts on “MANY ASPECTS OF BLUEBIRD MIGRATION REMAIN A MYSTERY”
Interesting thoughts, Terry. Here in southern Georgia, chipping sparrows migrate to Middle and North Georgia in Spring. But they are plentiful here in Fall and Winter. I’ve wondered why that happens.
That’s really interesting, Terry! I wonder if the age of the bird, availability of their preferred food, and climate change play a part in the migration confusion. Do you know if many migration studies with tagging have taken place? I absolutely love to watch them flitter around my feeders.
There have been a number of studies that be conducted to address these and other factors concerning migration (e.g. timing, whether or not males, females, and young. Also, some studies have found the where the young were raised affects where they winter, etc. However, the bottom line is we have much more we need to learn.
Here are a few things we do know. Some bluebirds hatched in the South and the central United States don’t migrate at all, preferring to remain on their breeding territories throughout the winter. Others migrate just a few miles.
Interesting thoughts, Terry. Here in southern Georgia, chipping sparrows migrate to Middle and North Georgia in Spring. But they are plentiful here in Fall and Winter. I’ve wondered why that happens.
nudicale:
You pose an interesting question. I do not have an answer for you but will see what I can find out.
That’s really interesting, Terry! I wonder if the age of the bird, availability of their preferred food, and climate change play a part in the migration confusion. Do you know if many migration studies with tagging have taken place? I absolutely love to watch them flitter around my feeders.
There have been a number of studies that be conducted to address these and other factors concerning migration (e.g. timing, whether or not males, females, and young. Also, some studies have found the where the young were raised affects where they winter, etc. However, the bottom line is we have much more we need to learn.
Thank you, Terry!