This is Bird Note.

In September, Arctic turns fly south over the ocean, from Alaska all the way to Antarctica.

Also in September, the last rufous hummingbirds depart their breeding range in the west, following

floral highways of mountain wildflowers south to Mexico.

Ruby-crowned kinglets are leaving the northern evergreen forests where they nest on their way to

milder climates.

Each of these birds is migrating, but on a very different course.

All have the same adaptive goal, making the most of food and breeding opportunities that change with the seasons.

Arctic turns follow one of the longest annual migrations,

traveling as much as 44,000 miles each year.

Arctic Tundra provides their ideal nesting site in summer.

The Antarctic, the ideal feeding grounds in our winter.

Rufus hummingbirds are medium-range migrants,

traversing about 5,000 miles a year between temperate

and tropical nectar sources.

Some ruby-crowned kinglets are altitudinal migrants, especially in the West.

They may remain close to the same latitude all year, but spend the cold months in the relative warmth

of the lowlands, dining on insects and their eggs. In summer you'll need to ascend

thousands of feet into the Western mountain ranges to hear the Kinglet's

exuberant song. For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.