Raptor migration

Raptor migration is the seasonal or regular movement of birds of prey between geographic areas. It includes long-distance journeys, regional shifts, and routes shaped by wind, terrain, and food.

Thermal: A rising column of warm air that can lift birds without continuous flapping. Many migrating raptors circle in thermals to gain height before gliding onward.
Satellite telemetry: The use of satellite-linked devices to track an animal's location over time. It maps individual raptors' routes, stopovers, and seasonal ranges.
Falcon migration: Seasonal movement between breeding and nonbreeding areas by falcons. Peregrine and other falcons illustrate migration strategies distinct from many soaring hawks.
Migratory connectivity: The degree to which breeding and nonbreeding populations are linked through migration. Connectivity determines whether threats in one region affect particular breeding populations.
Soaring flight: A flight mode in which birds use rising air to stay aloft with little flapping. It lets broad-winged raptors cover long distances while conserving energy.
Bird banding: A method of marking birds with unique bands to study movement and survival. Recoveries connect distant locations and help estimate migration and survival.
Broad-winged hawk: A forest-dwelling North American hawk that often migrates in large flocks. Its dense autumn kettles make one of the clearest spectacles of raptor migration.
Stopover site: A place where a migrating animal pauses to rest or refuel before continuing. Raptors depend on suitable resting areas along demanding routes.
Flyway: A broad geographic corridor used by migrating birds between seasonal ranges. Raptors concentrate along flyways where terrain and air currents favor passage.
Hawk watching: The observation and counting of migrating hawks and other birds of prey at passage sites. Long-term counts can reveal changes in migration volume and timing.

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