On October 28, researchers in Australia announced new findings on the migratory behaviors of bird species in the Southern Hemisphere, utilizing data from weather radar technology.
There are significant differences in migration direction, timing, and intensity of birds each year. (Illustrative photo).
A research team from the University of Queensland analyzed 16 years of data from weather radar to track the migration patterns of bird species from Tasmania in the south to Queensland in northeastern Australia.
Lead researcher Xu Shi noted that the data showed significant differences in migration direction, timing, and intensity from year to year when compared to bird species in the Northern Hemisphere, which are closely tied to seasonal changes.
For instance, they discovered that the Silvereye, a very small bird found in the southwestern Pacific, migrates from Tasmania to southeastern Queensland, but not all of them make the entire journey each year; some travel shorter distances.
The study also revealed that many Australian birds migrate during the day, a behavior not observed in the Northern Hemisphere.
Richard Fuller, a co-author of the study, mentioned that using weather radar to track bird species will help researchers delve deeper into how climate change and environmental shifts impact migration patterns, potentially enhancing conservation efforts for birds in Australia and globally.
