May 6, 2014

Small Birds Capitalize on Weather Patterns During Epic Migrations



Concept of migration flyways gets an update for small terrestrial birds

In one of the greatest feats of endurance in the biological world, millions of tiny songbirds — many weighing less than an ounce — migrate thousands of miles to Central and South America each year. Now scientists are finding out how these featherweights do it: using elliptical routes that take advantage of prevailing wind patterns to save calories.