Most simply, “migration” is a mass movement, or a series of consecutive movements, from one place to another.
Many species of wildlife have annual or cyclical migrations. In North America, the most widely recognized of such migrations is in wild birds, including songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and especially waterfowl—aka ducks, geese, and swans.
Let’s consider waterfowl migration within a calendar year.
January generally finds most North American ducks at the southern terminus of their range, which can be as far south as South America or as far north as Lake Michigan or coastal Maine, depending on the specific species. Good wintering grounds simply require ample food and water sources so ducks can survive the winter and build reserves for the northward migration in the spring.
Depending on species and conditions, northward duck migration generally begins in February, March, or April. Biologists believe the length of daylight influences the waterfowl migratory instinct to some degree.
In the spring, the movement tends to be sporadic, following the conditions favorable to the birds. Waterfowl tend to move northward as wetlands thaw and fields become free of snow. Snow geese, in particular, are known to “follow the snow line” and even turn back south when faced with heavy snowfalls that blanket the fields. They’ll generally move south only far enough to find food and water and then move north again with the melt.
During the northward migration, pair bonds continue to be created or strengthened for the upcoming breeding season for many species.
The goal of the northern movement is the nesting grounds, wherever those might be. For many duck species, it’s primarily in the prairie pothole region of northern United States and southern Canada. It’s estimated that up to 70 percent of the ducks hatched in North America begin life in the prairie pothole region.
Others, especially many goose species and ducks such as pintails, scaup, and eiders, go as far north as the arctic regions to establish breeding colonies. Arrival on the breeding grounds is generally from April into early June, depending on species, location, and conditions encountered.
Some waterfowl species nest where they winter, with little or no migration. These include some eiders, California mallards, so-called “resident” Canada geese, wood ducks, and others. Within these species, some populations make traditional, lengthy migrations, while others stay within one small area.
In all, a single spring migration from south to north may range from breeding right at the wintering location, or traveling up to 2,500 miles—again depending on the species and the preferred wintering and breeding grounds. The philopatric tendencies (or “homing” instincts) of waterfowl are amazing. It remains largely a mystery how some waterfowl can navigate the full cycle of migration over thousands of miles—sometimes repeatedly—and find their way back to the same patch of nesting cover in which they were hatched and/or which they used for nesting the previous year.
Overall, ducks spend about 90 days on the breeding/nesting grounds. And it’s a very important 90 days. It’s estimated that the conditions and situations the ducks encounter there have a 90 percent or greater influence on the overall population that will migrate north the next spring. That means everything that happens during the entirety of the remaining nine months—including hunting season—only impacts populations by 10 percent or less.
During their time in the North, waterfowl make mini migrations within the region. Waterfowl move to molt (shed and regrow new feathers—a period during which they a flightless) and then to gather again into larger flocks and prepare for southward migration. This is called “staging.”
Again, dependent on species and climatic conditions, southward migration tends to begin in September and can really gain volume and velocity in October and November. Long stretches of continual migration are more common as waterfowl move south in the fall, especially during major weather events. Pushed by weather and tailwinds, individual ducks have been known to travel 1,000 miles or more in 24 hours.
Climatic conditions play a major role in dates, distances, and locations to which waterfowl will migrate. Much about the migratory instinct of waterfowl remains a mystery, including exactly how birds navigate, especially to places they’ve never been before, as well as precisely what spurs migration and how much influence human activity such as agricultural practices, land development, light pollution, and other factors influence migration timing, patterns, and instincts.— Bill Miller
FAQs
Most simply, “migration” is a mass movement, or a series of consecutive movements, from one place to another. Many species of wildlife have annual or cyclical migrations.
What is migrating waterfowl? ›
Among waterfowl, regular seasonal movements (i.e., migration) are driven by changing photoperiod, the relative length of day and night during a 24-hour period. As a result, migration is physiologically "hard- wired" in waterfowl and other migratory birds.
What is a migratory waterfowl? ›
Migratory waterfowl means those species of birds commonly known as swans, geese and ducks and any other waterfowl falling under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
How does duck migration work? ›
Ducks have amazing instincts, or feelings that animals are born with, that let them know when to migrate, and they follow the same pattern every year as their flock, or large group, flies to their winter home. They fly in a V-shaped formation and use wind currents to conserve their energy for the long flight.
What typically triggers migration for waterfowl? ›
In spring, southerly winds, falling barometric pressure, and increasing temperatures are optimal conditions for waterfowl migrating northward. In fall, waterfowl migrations, which often occur at night, are usually associated with north to northwest winds, falling temperatures, and high-pressure systems.
What does migrating mean for birds? ›
Avian migration is a natural process, whereby different birds fly over distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometres in order to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding and raising their young.
Should you feed migrating ducks? ›
If you care about ducks and geese, do not feed them. They can live longer, healthier lives by relying on natural food sources such as aquatic plants, seeds, grasses, and insects rather than taking handouts from will-meaning humans.
What is the highest migrating duck? ›
Ducks usually migrate at an altitude of 200 to 4,000 feet but are capable of reaching much greater heights. A jet plane over Nevada struck a mallard at an altitude of 21,000 feet-the highest documented flight by North American waterfowl.
What months do ducks migrate? ›
Again, dependent on species and climatic conditions, southward migration tends to begin in September and can really gain volume and velocity in October and November. Long stretches of continual migration are more common as waterfowl move south in the fall, especially during major weather events.
What breed of duck migrates? ›
Some waterfowl migrate in fall before major cold crunches. Well-known examples include blue-winged teal, northern pintails, northern shovelers, gadwalls, wood ducks, canvasbacks, and ruddy ducks.
In the winter season, from December to February, they go to their breeding grounds in the southern hemisphere. After March, they go back to their non-breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere following northern migration. Migratory ducks travel during the day, the night, or continuously.
What temperature makes ducks migrate? ›
Weather migrants also respond to the changing photoperiod, but tend to stay put until harsh conditions force them to fly south. "Mallards are good examples of this group, and so are some diver species," Gauthreaux says. "Normally, freezing temperatures are the main factor that forces these birds down the flyways.
Do ducks mate for life? ›
Like most animals, ducks do not usually mate for life. But many species are seasonally monogamous, pairing up with a mate during breeding season and parting ways by the end of summer. Starting around late February, the Zoo's male ducks start molting into their breeding plumage.
How far do ducks migrate in a day? ›
With a 50 mph tail wind, migrating mallards are capable of traveling 800 miles during an eight-hour flight. Studies of duck energetics show that a mallard needs to feed and rest for three to seven days to replenish the energy expended during this eight-hour journey.
What waterfowl migrate first? ›
"Ducks that feed largely on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and other natural plant foods found in shallow water areas, including green-winged teal, gadwall, wigeon, and wood ducks, are typically the first to migrate, because they can quickly lose access to their food supplies during a sudden freeze.
Why do ducks migrate at night? ›
Nocturnal migrants take advantage of calmer air
Nighttime migration helps birds avoid daytime thermals that usually make for rougher flights. Smoother flights mean less energy spent during migration.
What classifies a bird as waterfowl? ›
Waterfowl are mid-sized to large birds most commonly found on or near water. Most have plump bodies, long necks, short wings, and all have webbed feet.
What is the difference between duck and waterfowl? ›
Ducks are only just the beginning! “Waterfowl”' generally refers to ducks and geese, but often grouped into this category are other waterbirds that migrate this time of year as well—like those American coots, grebes, loons, and trumpeter and tundra swans.
What is the difference between migration and duck duck goose? ›
Migration is apparently about a family of ducks trying to migrate somewhere warm while avoiding predators, while Duck Duck Goose has a story about a carefree goose adopting two ducklings and learning to become more mature.
Why is it called waterfowl? ›
As their name suggests, waterfowl like to live on and near the water. They live near rivers, lakes and ponds around the world.
