How Birds Migrate! 6 Fascinating Ideas!

I love looking at history and seeing how those in the past saw things. This is especially true when it comes to nature and birds in particular.

My latest dive into the past came up with some really interesting views on bird migration!

Long ago people struggled for an explanation of where birds went when they would disappear in the Fall and reappear in the Spring. Since no one had a clue, they made up what they thought were reasonable explanations.

For instance, Aristotle believed the European Robin transformed itself into the Redstart every Fall, and then transformed back to itself come Spring!

Some, like Linnaeus (noted naturalist in the 1700’s) believed swallows hibernated in the mud at the bottom of streams and lakes. In fact, up until the middle of the 1500’s, everyone believed swallows hibernated. There was no reason to doubt it.

The most interesting item I found was an essay published in 1703 in England that claimed swallows flew a sixty day trip to the moon and hibernated till Spring. It wasn’t written as a joke. The person seriously believed it.

These types of beliefs continued until the 1800’s. What caused the change? Naturalists had been able to explore the world more fully, and came to understand that birds went South for the Winter and North for the Summer. It was at this point, that migration became an accepted reality.

Nowadays, the focus is on how birds navigate during migration. The following are 6 fascinating ideas in circulation.

Idea 1: Family Tradition! Birds know where to migrate because their parents show them which direction to go.

Idea 2: Birds With a Compass! Since the earth is a giant magnet, birds use the magnetic field like a compass to guide them. It’s rather like they have their own frequency to fly by.

Idea 3: You Smell Funny! There are those who believe that some birds use their sense of smell to guide them to their particular flyway! I pity the bird whose allergies are acting up. Maybe that’s why some birds end up in places they’re seldom seen! Just kidding.

Idea 4: Don’t Forget the Sunglasses! Some believe the sun’s position guides them.

Idea 5: Now Where Did I Put My Sky Chart? Some believe that there are birds who might use the star constellations to determine their flyway.

Idea 6: Hey! I Know That Place! Lastly, many birds are able to keep on course because they recognise different landmarks.

In the past, bird migration wasn’t understood because travel in those days was so limited. In the present, even with all our technology and ease of transportation – we still don’t understand it all.

So, take a look in the past for yourself! You never know what exciting things you’ll discover to share with your kids around a campfire or out on a nature walk!

By Yo Coleman

Over the past 27 years, the author has been an amateur ornithologist and a wildlife scientist. If you’d like to learn more cool stuff about birds, check out her blog at Pelican’s Post!