The Sequence of Spring Migration
Learn when waves of birds will arrive to take full advantage of the season.
EVERY YEAR, a grand parade sweeps northward across the continent. Vast numbers of individuals take part, but they aren’t marching up Main Street—they are spreading out from coast to coast, and even offshore. This famous procession is the spring migration of birds.
No matter where you are, the phenomenon lasts for months. Along the southern border it starts in January, while in the far north you might not see movement until March or even later. One thing is true everywhere: Certain birds come early in the order of migration, others much later. If you know what to expect, it’s easy to plan your birding adventures.
Of the species that famously lead the way, most spend winter in the southern states, moving north as early as possible. Red-winged blackbirds and common grackles are good examples. Tough, adaptable birds that feed on almost anything, they can survive the risk of heading into cold regions.
However, not all of these early fliers travel short distances. Purple martins spend the first part of winter in South America but start their trek early, with advance scouts reaching Florida and Texas by the middle of January. In the far West, rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds that wintered in Mexico move north up the California coast by early February.
Next come the waterfowl—ducks, geese and swans—that have abandoned the coldest climates because most can’t survive for long when all of the water is frozen. But as soon as ponds and lakes begin to thaw in late winter, some waterfowl push north. By the first of March, flocks of pintails, wigeons, mallards and green-winged teal pulse into the northern states. Meanwhile, their numbers start to dwindle on southern lakes and bays as wintering waterfowl move on.
If you spot open water in early spring, look for grebes and great blue herons. Sandhill cranes also migrate early, and their wild, grating cries may drift down from the sky on any day at the edge of spring.
While water birds splash into freshly thawed ponds, sparrows arrive in fields and thickets. Native species such as song, fox and savannah sparrows march northward as early as possible, feeding on weed seeds around the brushy areas. Some hardy insect-eaters like
ruby-crowned kinglets and brown creepers start migrating before most adult insects are active; they seek out insect eggs and larvae hiding in twigs or bark.
The excitement of migration kicks into high gear when large numbers of songbirds flying up from the tropics arrive. Hundreds of species spend the winter mostly south of our borders, and when they finally return, they fill the woods with color and song.
For many birders, warblers are the stars. Though there are more than 50 kinds, the small, active, brightly hued birds are difficult to see as they flit and zip among foliage. But they are worth the effort. Because warblers feed mainly on insects, they travel when they can rely on warm temperatures. Their peak flight is in April in the southern states and in May farther north. On the right spring morning at favored spots in the eastern states, it’s possible to catch sight of 20 or more species of warblers.
When the warblers burst onto the scene, other migrants arrive with them. House wrens and gray catbirds come to lurk in thickets, while shy brown thrushes hop around in deep shade on the ground. Brilliantly colored birds like rose-breasted grosbeaks, orioles, tanagers and buntings dot the treetops. The peak of spring migration is a magical time, with endless potential for variety.
In most places, migration starts off slowly, builds to a crescendo in late spring and then trails off, but a few birds consistently come in after peak time. Most members of the flycatcher family show up late in the season, and with good reason: They feed on insects caught in midair, and the weather has to be warm before bugs start flying around. That also could explain the relatively late arrival of the common nighthawk, another aerial insecteater. And season’s end is the best time to look for yellow-billed cuckoo and black-billed cuckoo, which munch on large caterpillars.
Spring migration is a great show from beginning to end, and it’s free to watch. So grab your binoculars, get to your favorite bird-watching spot and enjoy the bird parade.