Many birds fly south for the winter to escape the cold and find food. However, not all birds migrate. Some stay in one place year-round, while others move only a short distance. Some of the most common migratory birds that fly south for the winter include:

• Barn Swallows
• Canada Geese
• Chimney Swifts
• Goldfinches
• Hummingbirds
• Mourning Doves

Birds that stay in one place year-round and dont fly south for the winter include:

• Chukar Partridges
• Northern Cardinals
• Wild Turkeys

Birds that nest in the Northern Hemisphere tend to migrate northward in the spring to take advantage of burgeoning insect populations, budding plants, and an abundance of nesting locations. As winter approaches and the availability of insects and other food drops, the birds move south again. Escaping the cold is a motivating factor, but many species, including hummingbirds, can withstand freezing temperatures as long as an adequate supply of food is available.

Some birds delay migration or wont leave at all if food remains available. In fact, some experts believe the widespread use of bird feeders may allow some species of birds to stop migrating and become year-round residents.

According to a recent study, over 300 million birds start their annual fall migration to the South for the winter. Some of the more well-known species that take part in the annual tradition include Canadian geese, hummingbirds, doves, and cranes.