Summary
Regular seasonal journeys, such as monarch butterflies and Arctic terns.
In depth
Cues: photoperiod, hormones and internal clocks. Navigation: sun compass, star compass, magnetoreception and landmarks. Costs include energy and predation.
Migration has an innate component (inherited direction and distance in young birds migrating alone) and learned components. Hormones such as prolactin and corticosterone drive restlessness (Zugunruhe).
Common mistake: assuming all animals migrate for food; some move to breed or avoid extremes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Migration Behaviour?
Regular seasonal journeys, such as monarch butterflies and Arctic terns.
Which area of biology covers Migration Behaviour, and how advanced is it?
Migration Behaviour is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Innate Behaviour, Nature vs Nurture, Instinct.
Can you give an example of Migration Behaviour?
Bar-tailed godwits fly over 11,000 km nonstop from Alaska to New Zealand.
What should I learn before Migration Behaviour?
Migration Behaviour is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour that pair well with it include Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour.
What topics are related to Migration Behaviour?
The closest topics to Migration Behaviour are Innate Behaviour, Nature vs Nurture, Instinct, Animal Behaviour. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Migration Behaviour?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Migration Behaviour. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Migration Behaviour different from Innate Behaviour?
Migration Behaviour: Regular seasonal journeys, such as monarch butterflies and Arctic terns. Innate Behaviour: Inherited, instinctive behaviour performed without prior experience, like a spider spinning a web. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Migration Behaviour?
Assuming all animals migrate for food; some move to breed or avoid extremes.
How should I study Migration Behaviour step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Innate Behaviour and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.