The Sequence Of Spring Migration

From early arrivals like blackbirds to latecomers like flycatchers, find out when your favorite fliers will pass through.

- Kenn And Kimberly Kaufman

Every year, a grand parade sweeps northward across the continent. Vast numbers of individuals take part, but they aren’t marching up Main Street—they are spreading out from coast to coast, and even offshore. This famous procession is the spring migration of birds.

No matter where you are, the phenomenon lasts for months. Along the southern border it starts in January, while in the far north you might not see movement until March or even later. One thing is true everywhere: Certain birds come early in the order of migration, others much later. If you know what to expect, it’s easy to plan your birding adventures.

Of the species that famously lead the way, most spend winter in the southern states, moving north as early as possible. Red-winged blackbirds and common grackles are good examples. Tough, adaptable birds that feed on almost anything, they can survive the risk of heading into cold regions.

However, not all of these early fliers travel short distances. Purple martins spend the first part of winter in South America but start their trek early, with advance scouts reaching Florida and Texas by the middle of January. In the far West, rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds that wintered in Mexico move north up the California coast by early February.