Great Cormorant flock migrating through a Pyreneean valley

Migration

Migration - the regular movement of birds and wildlife from one part of the world to another and back again - is one of the wonders of the natural world.

Migration is a form of adaptation. Birds migrate to survive. Learning about migration is one of the best ways to understand the risks that birds and other animals must take in their daily lives - and it's a great way to interpret the changes you can see in the bird life around you.

A look at bird migrations

Willow warbler perched in a bare larch tree, Co. Durham

The incredible journey

All over the world, every year, millions of birds are on the move.

Brent goose group flying low with a backdrop of buildings, Hampshire

Which birds migrate?

Not all birds migrate, such as partridges. But they are in the minority - most birds will migrate.

House martin Delichon urbica, adult collecting mud, Kildonan, Isle of Arran

Getting ready to go

A bird's body tells it exactly when to migrate. Each year, glands in its body release hormones into its system.

Puffin Fratercula arctica, a pair take of from the water, Isles of Scilly

On the move

More information about birds on the move.

Greylag geese over flash at Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve

Choosing the route

Migrating birds don't just point themselves in the right direction and hope for the best. Each species has its own route

Razorbill Alca torda, in flight, long exposure to show movement, Ramsey Island RSPB reserve, Wales

Dangers of migration

Migration is a gamble. Birds have to deal with all kinds of dangers on the way.

Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur, adult perched in tree top, Fowlmere RSPB reserve,

Understanding migration

It's only in the last 100 years that we've begun to understand migration. Before then, people had some strange ideas.

Common or Eurasian crane Grus grus, silhouetted flying from roost site on Zingst peninsula over the Bodden Inlet of the Baltic sea at sunrise, Germany

Finding out more

In the last hundred years, we have learned much more about bird migration.

Through the oceans

Aerial view of ocean reef, Henderson Island

It's not just birds that migrate - some deep ocean fish migrate daily! We take a look at underwater migration stories.

Find out more

Migratory bird stories

Read all bird migration stories

Other migratory animals

Hummingbird hawk moth

It's not only birds that migrate. Animals of all shapes and sizes - from butterflies and eels to turtles and reindeer - are also on the move every year.

Read more

Overland migration

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