The Birds That Migrate South From Michigan Each Winter

It's that time of year when you pack up your shorts and pull all your favorite sweaters, jeans, and boots as the temperatures begin to drop and you're stuck scraping snow off your car every morning. It's just a part of living in Michigan during the winter that we've come to accept.

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Of course, there are those who no longer want to deal with that part of Michigan and opt for Florida for the winter, where it's warmer and sunny every day. They are called snowbirds, and this nickname originates from the many birds that migrate out of the state once the temperatures start to drop.

Billions of birds migrate south for the winter, with some birds even migrating north to Michigan for the winter months. However, the majority of birds migrate to places where the ground won't be frozen, such as the Great Crested Flycatcher or the Wood Thrush. 

READ MORE: Michigan’s Toughest Birds: Who Stays North in the Winter?

Entire websites like Birdcast are dedicated to tracking the migration of birds during these migratory periods, showing how many birds migrate throughout the night. Yes, in case you were unaware, most birds travel at night. 

To help these birds on their migration, consider turning off any unnecessary lights at night to minimize light pollution. Excessive amounts of light at night can confuse and disorient birds. Which birds, you ask? Take a look below.