Millions of migratory birds make long journeys to Spain or Africa in autumn to hibernate
County - Every year in autumn, millions of birds from Europe make long journeys to spend the winter in southern countries such as Spain, Portugal or Africa.
Due to increasing global warming, but also with numerous feeding places in gardens and on balconies, more and more short-distance migrants overwinter in the breeding area, including crane, lapwing and starling.
Birds that feed mainly on grains and seeds can find enough food with us even in winter and stay in Bavaria.
These include chaffinch, sparrow, great tit and blue tit.
Goldfinches are the smallest migratory birds in Europe.
With a wingspan of just 13 centimeters and a weight of almost six grams, the tiny ones fly to the Mediterranean and back every year.
In summer, golden chickens breed in coniferous and mixed forests, also in Bavaria.
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A swarm of starlings moving south
© Rosl Roessner / LBV
Anyone who has ever observed the spectacular flight formations of the starlings will not soon forget this spectacle. They form flocks of up to 1,000 animals on the train. From a distance, their huge, black swarms look like a large, synchronously moving cloud.
On the other hand, the cuckoo or the black redstart go on the long journey alone. The long-distance migrant cuckoo even crosses the Sahara to spend the winter south of the equator. In comparison, the black redstart flies a rather short distance to the Mediterranean.
Birds of prey such as the honey buzzard or red kite fly during the day because they use the thermals to ascend and then move south at great heights.
Most songbirds, however, break out between dusk and midnight when the night sky is clear.
They fly under cover of darkness, as they would be easy prey for larger birds of prey such as hawks during the day.
- LBV