Faced with climate change, some birds are changing their migration schedules and staying closer to home — and in the future they might stop migrating altogether. Researchers have found that some birds are shortening their migrations, putting more energy toward breeding and eating instead of flying, and they speculate that eventually the birds could give up migration altogether. However, shorter migrations may only be an option for some species; others, which travel long distances over inhospitable ground, may not be able to shorten their trips.
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Birds Stay Close
Faced with climate change, some birds are changing their migration schedules and staying closer to home -- and in the future they might stop migrating altogether.
Monthly Issue
April 2026
In this monthly issue, we examine how our understanding of energy — and how we source and use it — is evolving.
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