Bird Adaptations to Seasonal Climate Change
![Picture](/uploads/6/1/5/0/6150885/411161358.jpg?1386936567)
Migration
An important behavioral adaptation of birds is their ability to migrate during seasonal changes. Migration is a common response and it occurs in almost all groups of living creatures.
Often in the winter, migrants from other populations in Europe boost populations in Britain and Ireland as shown in the image on the right. These movements are often related to severe periods of weather or a shortage of food.
Migration is a very important tool for migrating birds, it allows them to survive when they might not if they stay in the same area all year round. There are many theories to explain the development of bird migration.
An important behavioral adaptation of birds is their ability to migrate during seasonal changes. Migration is a common response and it occurs in almost all groups of living creatures.
Often in the winter, migrants from other populations in Europe boost populations in Britain and Ireland as shown in the image on the right. These movements are often related to severe periods of weather or a shortage of food.
Migration is a very important tool for migrating birds, it allows them to survive when they might not if they stay in the same area all year round. There are many theories to explain the development of bird migration.
![Picture](/uploads/6/1/5/0/6150885/1386939060.jpg)
Coping with the seasons
Not all birds migrate, some birds will stay in the same area all year round. Birds are warm-blooded animals that have a much higher metabolism, and thus higher body temperature, than humans. Body temperature can fluctuate during the day depending on climate and activity, but it can be a challenge for birds to maintain such a high body heat when temperatures dip too severely. Birds have physical and behavioural adaptations to help cope with the depleting temperatures.
Changing Colours
Even brightly colored males can become dull in winter. Many species of birds molt all their feathers in late summer or early fall, which allows a new fresh plumage to replace the older summer feathers that have become worn from nesting and foraging in abrasive vegetation during the breeding season. This fresher, stronger plumage helps them survive the colder temperatures of winter.
Not all birds migrate, some birds will stay in the same area all year round. Birds are warm-blooded animals that have a much higher metabolism, and thus higher body temperature, than humans. Body temperature can fluctuate during the day depending on climate and activity, but it can be a challenge for birds to maintain such a high body heat when temperatures dip too severely. Birds have physical and behavioural adaptations to help cope with the depleting temperatures.
Changing Colours
Even brightly colored males can become dull in winter. Many species of birds molt all their feathers in late summer or early fall, which allows a new fresh plumage to replace the older summer feathers that have become worn from nesting and foraging in abrasive vegetation during the breeding season. This fresher, stronger plumage helps them survive the colder temperatures of winter.