Migration occurs primarily as a means for birds to exploit the richest sources of food and it is one of the most important aspects of their life cycle. The purpose of this lesson is for students to become familiar with Neotropical migratory birds and the methods researchers use to study their migration. Why do they migrate? To where do they migrate, and what are these habitats like? Do all of the migratory birds in New England migrate to the same areas and along the same pathways? How are researchers able to learn about the timing of migration and the location of migratory pathways? Students will explore the reason for migration, be introduced to habitat characteristics in the tropics, sketch examples of migratory pathways, and identify the methods that researchers use to study migration.

Skill level: Basic

Classes appropriate for: Life Science, Biology, Environmental Science