Examples of birds that fly south for the winter include the American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, American tree sparrow, and anna’s hummingbird.
Birds have a great sense of direction, and many of them fly south for the winter. This helps them avoid cold weather and spend time in a place where food is plentiful.
There are many different types of birds that migrate, including robins, cedar waxwings, and hummingbirds. While some birds only travel a short distance, others may fly thousands of miles to get to their destination.
Examples of Birds that Fly South for The Winter
1. American Crow
| Scientific Name | Corvus brachyrhynchos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | fields, open woodlands, and forests |
The American crow is a common bird found throughout North America. These crows typically migrate in large flocks and can often be seen flying in formation.
Related Article: 29 Birds that Can Swim
2. American Goldfinch
| Scientific Name | Spinus tristis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | at the edges of forests and plains across North America in areas filled with brush and thistle plants. It can also be found in backyards and parks |
The American goldfinch is a small songbird that is found in woodlands and open fields across North America. In the fall, they migrate south to escape the cold weather.
3. American Robin
| Scientific Name | Turdus migratorius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost anywhere south of Canada |
The American robin is a migratory bird that breeds in North America and winters in southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. It is a member of the thrush family and is one of the most common birds in North America.
4. American Tree Sparrow
| Scientific Name | Spizelloides arborea |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | winter backyards and weedy, snow-covered fields across southern Canada and the northern United States |
The American tree sparrow is a small bird that breeds in Canada and the northern United States. It winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
5. Anna’s Hummingbird
| Scientific Name | Calypte anna |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | mainly in California |
These tiny birds are found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Every year, they migrate to California and other parts of the west coast.
6. Arctic Tern
| Scientific Name | Sterna paradisaea |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctica |
The Arctic tern is a small bird that breeds in the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is best known for its long Migration, which takes it from its breeding grounds to the Antarctic coast. Every year, the Arctic tern makes a round-trip journey of more than 18,641,000 miles.
7. Bald Eagle
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico |
The bald eagle is a large bird of prey that is found in North America. These birds are very powerful and can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour when flying. Bald eagles typically migrate south for the winter, but some may remain in their northern home if the weather is not too cold.
Related Article: 15 Birds that Look Like Eagles
8. Baltimore Oriole
| Scientific Name | Icterus galbula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the eastern United States and as far west as Montana |
The Baltimore oriole is a small songbird that is native to North America. It is a member of the icterid family, which includes other birds such as the meadowlark and the blackbird.
The Baltimore oriole is most commonly found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. It typically migrates south for the winter, although some birds may remain in their northern range if the weather is mild.
9. Blue Jay
| Scientific Name | Cyanocitta cristata |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of the eastern and central United States |
The blue jay is a small songbird that is found in North America. These birds are known for their striking blue plumage and their loud calls. Blue jays typically migrate in small flocks and can often be seen in wooded areas.
10. Chipping Sparrow
| Scientific Name | Spizella passerina |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | a wide variety of open woodland habitats |
The Chipping Sparrow is a small bird that breeds in North America. It is a very active bird, and its song is a series of high-pitched chips. This sparrow is brownish-gray with black streaks on its back and wings. The Chipping Sparrow migrates to the southern United States and Mexico for the winter.
11. Common Grackle
| Scientific Name | Quiscalus quiscula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns |
The Common Grackle is a blackbird that can be found in North and South America. These birds are known for their iridescent feathers and loud calls. Common Grackles typically migrate in flocks and can travel long distances.
12. Ducks
| Scientific Name | Anatidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | places where there is water like ponds, streams, and rivers |
Ducks are a type of bird that migrates in the fall. They fly south to escape the cold weather and spend the winter in a warmer climate. In the spring, they fly back north to their breeding grounds. Ducks typically travel in flocks, and they communicate with each other while flying.
13. Eastern Bluebird
| Scientific Name | Sialia sialis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across eastern North America and south as far as Nicaragua |
The eastern bluebird is a small thrush that breeds in open woodlands and farmlands in the eastern United States. In the winter, they migrate to the southern United States.
14. European Starling
| Scientific Name | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across the United States, in the Bahamas, Central America, Yucatan Peninsula, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Cuba |
The European starling is a small bird that is found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Each year, millions of these birds migrate from their breeding grounds in northern Europe to southern Africa. The journey can be over 6,000 miles long, and it takes them about two months to complete.
15. Evening Grosbeak
| Scientific Name | Coccothraustes vespertinus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Panama and northern South America |
The evening grosbeak is a member of the finch family. These birds are found in wooded areas in North America. They usually migrate to the southern United States and Mexico for the winter.
16. Geese
| Scientific Name | Anser |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America, Central America, South America, Eurasia, Australia, Africa, and more |
Geese are one of the most well-known migrating birds. Each year, they travel long distances to find suitable places to live and mate. Some geese will fly as far as 10,000 miles. These birds usually travel in large groups, known as flocks.
17. House Finch
| Scientific Name | Haemorhous mexicanus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | western North America |
The house finch is a small bird that is found in North America. This bird migrated from Asia to North America, and it is now one of the most common birds in the United States. The house finch typically has brown feathers, but some individual birds may have red or orange feathers.
18. Indigo Bunting
| Scientific Name | Passerina cyanea |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across the eastern half of the U.S |
The indigo bunting is a small songbird that is found in North America. These birds are known for their blue plumage, which is brighter in males than in females. During the breeding season, indigo buntings can be found in open habitats such as fields and meadows. In the winter, they migrate to more forested areas.
19. Killdeer
| Scientific Name | Charadrius vociferus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along much of the Pacific Coast, lower elevations of the Rockies, and across the southern United States, then well into Mexico |
The killdeer is a type of bird that only migrates a short distance. These birds are found in North and South America and typically only travel between states or provinces. Killdeers generally live in open areas near water, such as fields, marshes, and ponds. In the winter, they may move to warmer locations, such as the southern United States.
20. Mallard
| Scientific Name | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost any body of freshwater across Asia, Europe, and North America |
The mallard is a duck that can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is the most common type of duck in the world, and it is also one of the most popular birds for hunting. The mallard is a migratory bird, and it typically flies south for the winter.
21. Mourning Dove
| Scientific Name | Zenaida macroura |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost any kind of open or semi-open habitat in temperate parts of North America, including forest clearings, farmland, suburbs, prairies, deserts |
The mourning dove is a relatively small bird that is gray and white in color. These birds are found in North America and typically migrate south for the winter. They are known for their cooing sound, which is why they are sometimes called “the dove of peace.”
22. Northern Flicker
| Scientific Name | Colaptes auratus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost any habitat with trees |
While some birds only travel a short distance, others may fly thousands of miles to get to their destination. The northern flicker is one bird that migrates long distances, and it can be found in many different parts of North America.
23. Purple Finch
| Scientific Name | Haemorhous purpureus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | western Washington |
The purple finch is a small bird that is found in wooded areas across North America. These birds are very shy and are not often seen by people. Purple finches migrate south in the winter, and can sometimes be seen in flocks of up to 100 birds.
24. Purple Martin
| Scientific Name | Progne subis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout temperate North America |
The purple martin is a type of swallow that migrates from North America to South America. These birds are some of the longest-distance migrants, flying up to 4,000 miles to get to their wintering grounds.
25. Red-Breasted Nuthatch
| Scientific Name | Sitta canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | coniferous woods and mountains |
These little birds are found in woodlands throughout the eastern United States. In the fall, they migrate south to spend the winter in the southeastern United States.
26. Red-Tailed Hawk
| Scientific Name | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | all over the continent, in Central America, and in the West Indies |
The red-tailed hawk is a large bird of prey that can be found in North and South America. During the winter months, many red-tailed hawks migrate south to avoid the cold weather. These birds typically travel alone or in small groups. Red-tailed hawks can fly up to speeds of 50 miles per hour, and they can cover great distances when migrating.
27. Red-Winged Blackbird
| Scientific Name | Agelaius phoeniceus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Alaska at its northernmost point, to the Yucatan peninsula |
The red-winged blackbird is a small songbird that is found in North and South America. These birds are known for their distinctive red and yellow plumage, as well as their melodious songs.
During the breeding season, these birds can be found in marshes and wetlands, where they build their nests. In the winter, they often migrate to southern states, where the weather is milder.
28. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
| Scientific Name | Pheucticus ludovicianus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Central and northern South America |
The rose-breasted grosbeak is a bird that is black and white with a splash of red on its chest. This bird is found in North and South America and migrates south for the winter.
29. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
| Scientific Name | Archilochus colubris |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Central America |
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a small bird that breeds in eastern North America. It is the only species of hummingbird that regularly nests in this area. The ruby-throated hummingbird migrates south for the winter, spending time in Mexico and Central America.
30. White-Throated Sparrow
| Scientific Name | Zonotrichia albicollis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada and the northern boundary of the United States in coniferous and deciduous forests |
The White-Throated Sparrow is a small bird that is grey and brown with white stripes on its head. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States, and it winters in the southern United States.
Conclusion
Birds fly south for the winter because it is warmer there. The birds are attracted to the warmth and follow their natural instinct to migrate to a place where they can survive. This process happens every year as different species of birds make their way down to Central and South America.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.