How Do Birds Know the Time of Year?

Birds have a special kind of clock inside them that helps them know when it's time to fly. It works like this: during the day, they see less light, and their body starts thinking about the season changing. When the days get shorter or longer, it tells them it’s time to go on a journey.

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Examples

A bird sees fewer hours of sunlight each day and knows it’s time to leave home.
A chick learns from its parents when to fly south before winter comes.
A bird can tell the seasons have changed just by counting the days.

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Categories: Biology · birds,migration,biology,time perception