As fall and cooler temperatures start to arrive many birds will begin the migration process. Birds migrate when food and resources in an area have become scarce and to access mating and nesting

A golden eagle soars above the forest.

areas. Different kinds of birds have different patterns of migration. Some birds may only migrate from higher to lower elevations while some, like Swainson’s Hawks, can travel 12,000 miles.

The Swainson’s Hawk often comes to the plains of Colorado to breed for the summer before flying to Argentina for the winter! The young hawks will often stay with their parents through the fall migration. Swainson’s Hawks also mate for life with the same partner and will often use the same nest each year. They usually nest in trees or large shrubs, feeding mostly on insects and some small rodents.

Swainson’s Hawks also form “kettles,” groups of up to 10,000 birds that migrate together. Though they are most easily spotted in Texas during migration, kettles can be seen forming in Colorado this time of year. Read more about the Swainson’s Hawk here.

The Cornell Ornithology Lab’s annual migration celebration is September 14-22, 2020. They have articles on bird migration, the best times to see migration in your area, as well as kid-centered activities. Click here to participate in their migration celebration.