The Atlantic Flyway is a major north-south flyway for migratory birds in North America. The route generally starts in Greenland, then follows the Atlantic coast of Canada, then south down the Atlantic Coast of the United States to the tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean.[1] Every year, migratory birds travel up and down this route following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or traveling to overwintering sites.

Waterfowl flyways in the United States.
The Atlantic Flyway is in violet

This route is used by birds typically because no mountains block most of this path, though birds cross the Appalachian Mountains to join the flyway. Good sources of water, food, and cover exist over its entire length. The warm climates found in the southern portion of the region are home to many northern birds in winter, while in summer the region is home to many bird species from South America.

Land located within the Atlantic Flyway is the most densely populated land out of the four major flyways crossing the United States.[2]

Notable locations edit

Along the Atlantic Flyway, there are many key sites that migratory birds use to gather to breed, feed, or rest for certain periods. Some species may remain in these rest stops for the entire season, but most continue to move on. Notable locations include:

Canada edit

United States edit

Other flyways edit

The other primary migration routes for North American birds include the Mississippi, Central and Pacific Flyways.

There is an East Atlantic Flyway in Europe,[7] and one in the Atlantic Ocean.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Flyways: Administrative". US Fish & Wildlife Service.
  2. ^ "DU Projects: Atlantic Flyway". www.ducks.org. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  3. ^ "About the Refuge – Blackwater – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  4. ^ "Wildlife at Blackwater NWR". Friends of Blackwater. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  5. ^ Blackwater, Friends of. "Wildlife at Blackwater NWR". www.friendsofblackwater.org. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  6. ^ "Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge" (PDF). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. September 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  7. ^ Network, Atlantic Flyway. "Atlantic Flyway Network – HOME". atlanticflyway.org. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  8. ^ "North American Migration Flyways". 2017-03-16. Archived from the original on 2017-03-16. Retrieved 2018-06-03.

External links edit