How do Migrating Birds Travel such a Long Distance?

Recent experiments indicate that they adjust their flight with the Earth’s magnetic field and the light receptors in their eyes aid them.
Earth’s magnetic field acts as a compass, which directs them to the location. The research tells that the routing sense and signals function via the ‘magnetically sensitive proteins’ called ‘cryptochromes’ found in their retinas enable.

Various studies have been conducted where the connection has been established with light received by these migrating birds. 
One research says that as the season change approaches the light photoreceptor cell in the retina rises. This further stimulates cryptochromes and produces chemical reactions, which signal the direction in relation to the Earth’s magnetic field.  
However, so many difficulties they face during their long journeys like inadequate food, collisions with windows, buildings, power lines, Light, network towers, and poor weather.

Every year different species of birds come from different locations in the world. They cross 1000 km of distance to reach the best environmental conditions to nurture their entire community. Also looking for a habitat to breed and raise their young ones.  There are 10,000 bird species around the world, out of which approximately 1,800 are long-distance migrating species. In 2020, scientists had recorded the longest ever known migratory flight of more than 7,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean between Alaska and New Zealand for nonstop 11 days. 

In spite of so much research being conducted to date, it is not completely understood the pattern of the path followed by migrating birds.

The following pattern has been observed:

• Huge flocks of birds migrate to southern wintering areas from northern breeding grounds.
• Southern parts of Africa become a breeding ground for some birds while many migrate to northern wintering grounds.
• Some can be seen coming to tableland during winter and vice versa moving higher up to a lofty mountain in summer.

Many ancient Greek authors have mentioned in their books, the migration of bird species like storks, turtle doves, and swallows. Various migration patterns have been noticed. It is most commonly observed that migratory birds fly to regions with favourable breeding conditions, from the unsuitable climatic conditions that arise due to low temperatures. In fact, for centuries, in almost all cultures such arrival of migrating birds is believed to signify the beginning of spring and the rebirth of nature. That’s why traditionally these flocks of birds are considered a messenger of new birth or of peace and hope.