Neotropical Migratory Songbird Update: March 21, 1997

• Latest Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration Update
• Latest Oriole Migration Update (Baltimore and Bullock's)

Pick up any field guide to North American birds and flip through the pages. Of the hundreds of bird species you'll see, fewer than half remain in the U.S. and Canada during the winter months. Every fall, approximately 350 of the 660 bird species that breed in North America head south of the U.S. border to spend the winter. Each spring, the skies are filled with song and color as they return by the millions to breed.

This spring, we'll track 3 species that that migrate according to this pattern. Orioles (Baltimore and Bullock's) and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Scientists refer to these birds as "neotropical migrants". The word "neo" means new and "tropical" refers to the region between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. This region includes such places as Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and parts of South America.

You may already know some "neotropical migrants"-- ruby-throated hummingbirds, rose-breated grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers, vireos and warblers--or you may not know about them at all. Over the next weeks, as you track hummingbirds and orioles back to their nests, we'll also feature news about other neotropical migrants.

Conservationists are concerned about some of these species because fewer and fewer return each summer. For background information about this conservation issue read "Silence of the Songbirds" in National Geographic's June 1993 issue (pages 68-90). This spring you'll learn about some of the conservation efforts that are underway to protect these species--and meet the people involved.

Help Create Journey North's Online Field Guide!

As we wait for these colorful creatures to return this spring, we hope you'll help create an online Field Guide to Neotropical Migratory Songbirds--filled with YOUR pictures of the neotropical migrants who travel to and through your part of the world. If you would like to contribute your artwork, please contact the Journey North office for instructions. Send E-mail to: jnorth@learner.org

Which species are "neotropical migrants"? Many field guides now provide information about the winter range of each species. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds is one good example. Here's a list of some of the 350 birds we could include. We hope your class will help!

Examples of Neotropical Migratory Songbirds

USFWS

Neotropical Migratory Songbird Updates for Orioles and Hummingbirds will be posted on alternate weeks:

• The Next Hummingbird Migration Update Will be Posted on March 27
• The Next Oriole Migration Update Will be Posted on April 3