Bird Migration

Published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bird Migration provides readers with information on the basics of bird migration, the causes of migration, and how birders can take advantage of seeing rare birds from the North during migrating seasons. Bird enthusiasts, scientists and naturalists alike have been fascinated by bird migration patterns for thousands of years. Some of the first records of bird migrations were recorded by Aristotle and Homer in classical times. The Bible also cites migrations, noting that birds like the hawk, stork, turtledove, crane and swallow travel during certain seasons. While Aristotle was keen to acknowledge the patterns of birds migrating to various places during certain months, he was incorrect to suggest that small birds, like the swallow, hibernate like bears and other large mammals. Surprisingly, though, his theory was widely believed until the early 1900s.