Scientists flabbergasted by speedy birds

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AP/YahooNews
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON – Little songbirds cover more than 300 miles a day on their annual migrations, flabbergasting researchers who expected a much slower flight. For the first time, scientists were able to outfit tiny birds with geolocators and track their travel between North America and the tropics, something only done previously with large birds such as geese.

New tracking equipment, weighing only a little more than a paper clip, is now allowing the tracking of purple martins and wood thrushes, researchers report in Friday's edition of the journal Science.

"The migration was surprisingly fast," said Bridget Stutchbury, a professor of biology at York University in Toronto, Canada.

That's much faster than the 90 miles or so per day that had previously been estimated.

"We were flabbergasted by the birds' spring return times. To have a bird leave Brazil on April 12 and be home by the end of the month was just astounding. We always assumed they left sometime in March," said Stutchbury.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090212/ap_on_sc/sci_speedy_songbirds;_ylt=AqkvnOgZJy08jfqCbxp_yOcPLBIF

[aquart]

1. How did they get up the speed?

[XemaSab]

2. If they fly 24 hours a day, that's a little over 10 MPH

If they fly 12 hours a day, that's only 25 mph.

Those little birds can CRUISE.

Think about it: if you're flying from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf Coast, you don't want to be hanging out over water for days on end. :shrug:

[aquart]

3. I'm wondering if they wait to pick up specific currents of air.

And just waft. In which case, what happens if global warming alters the currents?

[XemaSab]

4. Most little birds are not good wafters/soarers

but they will climb in elevation and try to catch a tailwind.

Hawks, gulls, and vultures are good at soaring, but if a hummingbird tried it it would drop like a rock.

[aquart]

5. Do hummingbirds migrate?

I saw one outside my Manhattan window once. We were both startled.

[XemaSab]

6. They sure do

Most Ruby-throateds migrate clear across the Gulf to Mexico and Central America.

[aquart]

7. Just whirring those teeny tiny wings????

Okay, that is amazing. I see geese flying all the time. But trying to imagine a flock of hummingbirds? Can't quite picture it. They always seem so separate.

[XemaSab]

8. I don't think they fly in flocks

It's a solo journey. :patriot:

[Enthusiast]

10. Yeah, that is what fascinates me about Hummingbirds

The tiny bird on your feeder in Ohio just came back from the Yucatan. Amazing!

[MajorChode]

9. It's possible

In the spring, the winds in many areas typically are out of the south and vise versa in the fall. I would expect them to fly at lower altitudes, but even at that they can easily pick up a 20-30 mph tailwind.

Winds typically are stronger near high pressure gradients, so it's also possible that the birds have a natural ability to find the strongest tailwinds.