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- Even though most species of swallows migrate, some species of this family already live in the tropics and subtropics and are therefore non-migratory birds.
www.animalwised.com/swallow-bird-migration-how-why-and-where-do-swallows-migrate-4160.htmlSwallow Bird Migration - How, Why, and Where Do Swallows Migrate?
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May 3, 2022 · Swallows are a family of passerine birds found worldwide on all continents. Many northern species migrate long distances to escape winter, literally flying around the globe. Read on to learn more.
A long-distance migrant, many of our Swallows spend the winter months in South Africa. The first Swallows begin to arrive in the UK during March and stay here into October. In recent years a small number of birds have attempted, in some years successfully, to overwinter in the UK.
All swallows are strongly migratory, with many making journeys of several thousand kilometres each year. Unlike other passerines, they migrate mostly by day stopping frequently en route to refuel. Before crossing barriers, such as the Sahara Desert or the Mediterranean Sea they will fuel for several days to ensure they have enough fat for the ...
One species, the Pacific swallow, occurs as a breeding bird on a number of oceanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, [25] the Mascarene martin breeds on Reunion and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, [26] and a number of migratory species are common vagrants to other isolated islands and even to some sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctica. [27]
In the UK, the best-known migrating birds are probably ones that cover long distances, such as Swallows. Most UK-breeding Swallows winter in southern Africa. But you might be surprised to learn how many other birds migrate too. Even the Blackbirds in your garden in January could well be winter visitors from northern Europe.
Unlike most songbird migrants, swallows and martins fly by day, feeding on small flying insects as they go. They navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field, polarised light and visual landmarks, which incredibly allow swallows to return to the place they were born.
Swallows occur worldwide except in the coldest regions and remotest islands. Temperate-zone species include long-distance migrants. The common swallow (Hirundo rustica) is almost worldwide in migration; an American species, called barn swallow, may summer in Canada and winter in Argentina.
