Pick up any field guide to North American birds and flip through the pages. Of the hundreds of bird species you'll see, fewer than half remain in North America during the winter months. Every fall, approximately 350 of the 660 bird species that breed in North America head south of the U.S. border to spend the winter. Each spring, the skies swell with song and color as they return by the millions to breed.
The Northern Oriole is one species that migrates according to this pattern. Scientists refer to these birds as "neotropical migrants". The word "neo" means new and "tropical" refers to the region between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. This region includes such places as Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and parts of South America.
You may already know some "neotroipcal migrants"-- ruby-throated hummingbirds, rose-breated grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers, vireos and warblers--or you may not know about them at all. Over the next weeks, as you track orioles back to the nest in your backyard, we'll also feature news about other neotropical migrants.
Conservationists are concerned about some of these species because fewer and fewer return each summer. For background information about this conservation issue read "Silence of the Songbirds" in National Geographic's June 1993 issue (pages 68-90). This spring you'll learn about some of the conservation efforts that are underway to protect these species--and meet the people involved.
Challenge Question # 39
"In addition to the northern oriole, are any other birds being tracked by Journey North "neotropical migrants"? If so, which species?"
To respond to this Challenge Question, see the instructions below.
Help Create Journey North's Online Field Guide!
As we wait for these colorful creatures to return this spring, we hope you'll help create an online Field Guide to North American Birds--filled with YOUR pictures of neotropical migrants. To contribute your artwork, please follow the instructions below.
Which species are "neotropical migrants"? Many field guides now provide information about the winter range of each species. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds is one good example. Here's a list of some of the 350 birds we could include. We hope your class will help!
Examples of Neotropical Migratory Birds
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Rose-breated grosbeak
Scarlet tanager
Ovenbird
American redstart
Indigo bunting
Osprey
Western kingbird
Wood trhush
Yellow breasted chat
Red-eye vireo
Tennesse warbler
Bay-breasted warbler
Blackburnian warbler
Chestnut-sided warbler
Golden-winged warbler
Connecticut warbler
Black and white
Prothonotory warbler
Wilson's warbler
Magnolia warbler
Cerulean warbler
Blackpoll warbler
Canada warbler
Bank swallow
Cliff swallow
Barn swallow
Veery
How to Contribute Your Artwork
* Your illustration must be sent on standard letter-sized paper (8 1/2 X 11 inches).
* On the back of your illustration write:
* The bird's scientific name and its common name.
* Your name, school and state or province.
* Please make this artwork as colorful as the birds are themselves!
* Mail your artwork to:
Journey North
125 North First Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 USA
How to Respond to Challenge Question # 39
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #39.
3. In the Body of your message, answer this question:
"In addition to the northern oriole, are any other birds being tracked by Journey North "neotropical migrants"? If so, which species?"
The Next Oriole Migration Update Will be Posted on March 21, 1996.
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