Nature & Garden
Why do some birds leave in autumn?
Puschel spots travellers in the sky and a neighbour in the hedge.
The short answer
Many migrating birds travel in autumn to places with more available food. They move between breeding and wintering areas. Not all birds migrate or travel the same distance.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Birds fly above the autumn path. Puschel“They must have a destination. Do they need a suitcase?”
Flauschi“Many birds travel to places where they can find food in winter. They do not carry suitcases like ours.”
Something rustles in the hedge. Puschel looks without moving closer. Puschel“And somebody is staying here!”
Flauschi“Yes. Not every bird takes the same journey.” They listen rather than guessing a species just from a rustle.
Puschel“The sky has travellers and the hedge has neighbours.” Flauschi smiles. For both of them, the wide path is the right route today.
Discovery 1
Migratory birds travel between breeding grounds and other areas where they spend winter. Breeding grounds are places where they raise their young.
Source: [1]
Discovery 2
Suitable food becomes scarce in winter for many species, such as birds that eat flying insects. Migration is linked to changing seasons, not just cold weather.
Source: [1]
Discovery 3
Not all birds leave. Some stay, and within one species some may migrate while others stay. Not all migrating birds fly in a V shape.
Source: [1]
Little Wusel quiz
Why do many insect-eating birds leave in autumn?
Choose one answer: a), b).
- a)Suitable food becomes scarce.
- b)Only because feathers cannot protect them from cold.
Show answer
Correct answer: a): Suitable food becomes scarce. Flying insects become scarce in winter, for example. Food is an important reason for migration.
Do all migrating birds fly in a V shape?
Choose one answer: a), b).
- a)Yes.
- b)No.
Show answer
Correct answer: b): No. No. Species and ways of flying differ.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
Food becomes harder to find
An insect-eating bird often finds fewer flying insects here in winter. Warm feathers alone do not solve food shortage.
Another area is reached
Migratory birds travel between breeding areas and other places. They raise young in breeding areas. Travel can make food accessible in another season.
Birds follow different routes
Species differ in distance and direction. Some individuals stay while others migrate. A V-shape is only one possible flight pattern.
References for this explanation: [1]