The bird migration calendar shows when major bird groups move through your region month by month. Use it to plan birding trips and know which species to look for each season.
| Bird Group | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Notes |
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How to Use the Bird Migration Calendar
The bird migration calendar shows the seasonal timing of major bird group movements across eight US regions. Each row represents a bird group and each column a month — shading indicates whether that group is peaking, present, or generally absent in that region that month.
Step 1: Select Your Region
Choose the US region closest to your location. Regions represent broad geographic zones — Northeast covers New England through Mid-Atlantic, Southeast covers the Gulf Coast states through the Carolinas, Midwest covers Ohio Valley through Great Lakes, and so on. Migration timing shifts 2-3 weeks earlier as you move south in spring, and later as you move north.
Step 2: Filter by Month
Select a specific month to highlight which bird groups are active in that month. The calendar will highlight the selected month column so you can quickly see the peak and present species groups. In spring migration months (April-May), expect the widest diversity of passerines — up to 30+ warbler species can move through on a single good spring day in the Northeast.
When to Go Birding by Season
Spring (March-May): The most exciting season for most birders. Birds are in bright breeding plumage and singing. Shorebirds start in March, warblers peak in May. Fall (August-October): Shorebirds start early (July), waterfowl peak in October-November. Winter (December-February): Focus on feeders, open water for ducks, and owls. Summer (June-July): Breeding season — find nesting species in appropriate habitat. Shorebird southbound migration starts July 1.
FAQ
Is this bird migration calendar free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All data is embedded in the page — no server needed.
When is the best time to watch bird migration?
Spring migration peaks March through May across most of North America. Warblers, shorebirds, and raptors move north in impressive numbers. Fall migration runs July through November — shorebirds peak in July-August while songbirds peak September-October.
Which birds migrate in winter?
In winter, irruptive species like Snowy Owls, Pine Siskins, and Bohemian Waxwings move south in large numbers during food shortage years. Waterfowl also winter throughout the continental US wherever open water remains.
Do all birds migrate?
No. Residents like Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, and Downy Woodpeckers stay year-round in most of their range. Short-distance migrants like American Robins may only move a few hundred miles. Long-distance migrants like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fly thousands of miles to the tropics each fall.
How far do birds migrate?
Migration distances vary enormously. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fly 500+ miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico. Blackpoll Warblers make a 3-day nonstop ocean crossing. The Arctic Tern holds the record at 50,000+ miles round-trip annually between the Arctic and Antarctic.
What causes birds to migrate?
Migration is triggered primarily by changes in day length (photoperiod), not temperature. As days shorten in fall, hormonal changes prepare birds for migration. Weather fronts, food availability, and habitat conditions affect timing and routes, but the basic on/off switch is photoperiod.