How long do migrants spend at stopping point? (1 Viewer)

[Millssg99]

I live in Houston, Texas and 3 Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks have spent two full days at my feeder. This surprises me. How long do they remain in one place?

 

[KenM]

……depends on the fuel tanks.😊

 

[Andy Adcock]

A few variables.

It will depend on their physical condition when they arrive.

How far they've come and how far they've got to go.

Birds will usually build fat reserves before any long movements but if moving overland, nothing stops them dropping down for just half a day. Many rarities which get found, only stay a day and it's presumed that they go overnight.

Then there's the weather, birds seem to have a sense of when to go and will often wait for favourable weather conditions or at least, for adverse weather to abate.

 

[Farnboro John]

Also whether or not ringers have handled them

John

 

[Millssg99]

Also whether or not ringers have handled them

John

thanks. they ended up staying three full days.

 

[Andy Adcock]

thanks. they ended up staying three full days.

This probably suggests that they needed to build reserves before moving on. I just found some Golden Orioles and they were there for a minimum of two days before leaving, they were feeding in a very busy way, on one of their favourite foods, Mulbery.

Other birds have been there one day and gone the next. Apart from the Orioles, the only bird I've found that stayed more than a day was a Woodchat.