Changing weather patterns in the Caribbean make things difficult beloved migratory birds to survive their travels across America.

what’s going on

A study from National Zoo and Smithsonian Institute of Conservation Biology reveals that droughts in the Caribbean are causing fewer birds to complete their spring migrations.

The research team tracked two species of puffins – small, colorful songbirds that spend winters in the Caribbean before flying north to raise their families. They found that when the birds’ winter homes had less rainfall and less healthy plants, many did not survive their spring journey north.

Why is incomplete migration a concern?

These finds hit home for anyone who enjoys watching birds visit their backyard feeders or hearing songbirds on their morning walks.

When birds can’t find enough food and shelter in their winter homes, they struggle to build up the energy they need to incredible journeys — some fly thousands of miles to reach their summer destinations.

“To effectively conserve migratory birds, we need to identify when and where in their annual cycle they are threatened,” explains Nathan Cooper, lead author of the study. “Being able to reliably estimate survival during migration versus stationary periods is the first step toward learning when, where and how birds die throughout the year.”

With the Caribbean set to become drier in the coming decades, these feathered friends face an increasingly difficult challenge.

It’s not just about the birds. It’s about maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems, from the insects these birds eat to the plants they help pollinate.

What is being done to help these birds?

Scientists are using this research to identify the most drought-resistant areas in the Caribbean that can become safe havens for birds during periods of drought.

Conservation groups are already working to protect these critical winter habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also stepped up, providing funding for a new four-year project to better understand how to protect these remarkable travelers throughout their year-long journey.

You can help too. Supporting bird-friendly practices at home, such as gardening gardens with native plants which provides food and shelterhelps birds recover after long flights.

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