This is bird note.

When we think of bird migrations, owls probably aren't the first birds we picture.

You might think of a blue bird or a robin first, but the short-eared owl is one of a handful

of owls that does migrate.

Affectionately called shorties, they fly south for the winter in North America, but stay

on the continent.

In other parts of the world, like Europe and Asia, they take transcontinental flights.

The Northern Sawat owl is another owl that's southbound come fall.

Sawats were considered year-round residents, when in fact they migrate at night, unseen.

Then there's the snowy owl, which moves away from its nesting grounds in the Arctic tundra

to spend winter in the northern U.S.

Unlike birds that flock to the same destination every year, snowies are more flexible, often

wandering wherever they can find food.

And let's not forget the burrowing owl.

Some burrowing owls spend their whole life in one place, but others migrate every spring

and fall with the regularity of a blue bird.

So next time someone mentions migration, think owls.

For bird note, I'm Michael Stein.

Bird note gives you the sounds of birds every day, and you can get the sights as well when

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