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45 Incredible Migrations of North American Wildlife

45 Incredible Animal Migrations of North America. Image by Tara Panton
45 Incredible Animal Migrations of North America. Image by Tara Panton

Animals migrate mainly for survival reasons, including seeking food, finding suitable breeding sites, or escaping harsh weather conditions. In today’s exploration, we will delve into the lives of 45 incredible animals that migrate in North America. 

Migration patterns are often instinctual, guided by environmental cues and the need to find optimal reproductive grounds with available resources. These species display diverse strategies to navigate such vast distances for survival, breeding and feeding. 

Let’s explore 45 incredible migrations of North American wildlife. 

#1 Monarch Butterfly – Migrates up to 3,000 miles

Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly. By Judy Gallagher – Monarch – Danaus plexippus, Herndon, Virginia, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64927952

The monarch butterfly migrates up to 3,000 miles from North America to central Mexico, an iconic journey symbolizing resilience and beauty.

#2 Caribou – Migrates 3,000 miles across the Arctic

By Dean Biggins (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) – US FWS, DIVISION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WO3772-023, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1214764

Undertakes one of the longest terrestrial migrations, traversing up to 3,000 miles across the Arctic in search of food.

#3 Arctic Tern – Longest annual migration

Artic Tern sitting on a rock. Kristian Pikner, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Artic Tern sitting on a rock. Kristian Pikner, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Holds the record for the longest annual migration, flying over 25,000 miles from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back.

#4 Sandhill Crane – Noisy 5,000-mile migration

Sandhill Crane with chick. Kyletracysrs, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sandhill Crane with chick. Kyletracysrs, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sandhill cranes migrate over 5,000 miles from Siberia to Mexico, showcasing spectacular formations and loud, echoing calls.

#5 Salmon – An uphill battle back home

Salmon
By NASA Goddard Photo and Video – https://www.flickr.com/photos/24662369@N07/48049673277/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87336849

Returns to their birthplace to spawn, travelling hundreds of miles upstream, overcoming obstacles like dams and predators.

#6 Canada Goose – Spectacular flying formations

Canada Goose
Canada Goose in a lake. Image by Nennieinszweidrei via Pixabay

Known for their V-shaped flight formations, migrating thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds.

#7 Gray Whale – Whopping 12,000-mile migration

Breaching gray whale. Merrill Gosho, NOAA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Breaching gray whale. Merrill Gosho, NOAA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Embarks on a 12,000-mile round-trip from the Arctic to Mexico’s Baja California, the longest migration of any mammal.

#8 American Bison – Once roamed free now contained

Bison
They once roamed in vast herds numbering in the millions across the Great Plains. Image by Jack Dykinga Wikimedia

Once migrated across vast grasslands in large herds, though now more limited, their movements are essential for prairie ecosystems.

#9 Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Tiny birds with vast migrations

Ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on a wooden pole. Joe Schneid, Louisville, Kentucky, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on a wooden pole. Joe Schneid, Louisville, Kentucky, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Travels over 2,000 miles between Central America and North America, a remarkable feat for such a small bird.

#10 Mexican Free-tailed Bat –  In search of a roosting ground

Mexican free-tailed bat
Mexican free-tailed bat . By NPS – http://www.nps.gov/sagu/naturescience/insectivorous-bats.htm ([https://www.webcitation.org/5iafk8bIg Archive link), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7405668

Mexican Free-tailed bats migrate from Mexico to the United States, travelling hundreds of miles to roost in caves and under bridges.

#11 Swainson’s Hawk – Longest migrating raptor

A Swainson's Hawk. Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
A Swainson’s Hawk. Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Flies over 6,000 miles from North to South America, one of the longest migrations for North American raptors.

Keep exploring these 45 incredible migrations of North American wildlife. 

#12 Peregrine Falcon – Extreme animal with an extreme migratory pattern

Captive peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in the Community of Madrid, Spain.
Captive peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). By Carlos Delgado – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38755194

Known for high-speed dives, migrates over 15,000 miles, from the Arctic tundra to South America.

#13 Whooping Crane – A rare migratory spectacle 

Whooping Crane. Gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whooping Crane. Gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of North America’s rarest birds migrates from Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas, a journey of up to 2,500 miles.

#14 Pronghorn – Migrates through mountains

Pronghorn Antelope, Cabin Lake Road, Fort Rock, Oregon
Pronghorn Antelope, Cabin Lake Road, Fort Rock, Oregon By Alan D. Wilson, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=996377

North America’s fastest land animal, migrates over 160 miles in Wyoming, navigating through mountain passes and valleys.

#15 Leatherback Sea Turtle – Between Mexico and Alaska

Leatherback Turtle. © National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA. Wikimedia Commons

Travels thousands of miles across the Pacific, from nesting beaches in Mexico to feeding areas off the coast of Alaska.

#16 Green Turtle – Navigational experts

Green Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle grazing seagrass in Akumal bay. By P.Lindgren – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27611674

Migrates across the Caribbean, traveling from feeding sites to nesting beaches, showcasing remarkable navigational skills.

#17 Walrus – Migrates with the ice edge in the Arctic

Image of a Walrus via Pexels

Migrates with the ice edge in the Arctic, moving between feeding grounds and areas where they rest on ice floes.

#18 American Eel – Mysterious migration from river to sea

American Eel. Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
American Eel. Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American eels embark on a mysterious migration from the freshwater rivers of North America to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.

#19 Snow Goose – From breeding grounds to wintering sites

Snow geese flying. Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Snow geese flying. Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flies from Arctic breeding grounds to warmer southern wintering sites, forming large, noisy flocks.

#20 Broad-winged Hawk – Soars in large groups

Broad-winged Hawk. Andrew C, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Broad-winged Hawk. Andrew C, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Soars in large groups called “kettles,” migrating from North America to South America, covering thousands of miles.

#21 Osprey – Predator of the sky

Osprey with a fish in its claws.
Osprey with a fish in its claws. By rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands – DSC03883, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83196742

Fish-eating raptor that migrates from North America to South America, showcasing incredible endurance and hunting skills.

#22 Semipalmated Sandpiper – Covers up to 2,500 miles

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Gregory
Semipalmated Sandpiper. Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Covers around 2,500 miles during its migration from the Arctic to South America, often in large flocks.

#23 Northern Elephant Seal – Migrates over 5,000 miles

Northern Elephant Seal. Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Elephant Seal. Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates over 5,000 miles in the Pacific, from breeding beaches in California to feeding areas near Alaska.

#24 Blackpoll Warbler – Flies non-stop for 3 days

Blackpoll Warbler. PJTurgeon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Blackpoll Warbler. PJTurgeon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flies non-stop for up to 3 days across the Atlantic, from North America to South America, an exhausting journey.

#25 Rufa Red Knot – Migrates 9,300 miles along the coast

Rufa Red Knot. Blackpoll Warbler. PJTurgeon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rufa Red Knot. Blackpoll Warbler. PJTurgeon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Embarks on a 9,300-mile migration from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America, stopping at critical coastal areas for food.

#26 Atlantic Puffin – Spends winters in the open ocean

The Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin. Via Unsplash

Travels from North Atlantic breeding sites to open ocean, where they spend the winter.

#27 Blue Whale – From icy waters to warm tropics

Blue whale. NOAA Photo Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Blue whale. NOAA Photo Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Undertakes long migrations between feeding grounds in cold waters and breeding grounds in tropical or subtropical waters.

#28 Dragonfly (e.g., Common Green Darner) – Off to Mexico

Golden-ringed dragonfly. Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Golden-ringed dragonfly. Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from the northern United States to Texas and Mexico for the winter.

#29 Humpback Whale – Migrates 5,000 miles to breeding grounds

Massive humpback whale breaching. Image by GUDKOVANDREY via Depositphotos

Known for migrating up to 5,000 miles from summer feeding grounds in polar waters to winter breeding waters in tropical or subtropical areas.

#30 White Shark – Migrating for feeding and breeding

Great White Shark
Great White Shark with mouth open. Image via Deposit Photos

Migrates to the coast of Guadalupe Island and Hawaii, traveling long distances for feeding and possibly breeding.

#31 Bar-tailed Godwit – Longest non-stop flight

Bar-tailed godwit. Hobbyfotowiki, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bar-tailed godwit. Hobbyfotowiki, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Has one of the longest non-stop flights of any bird, from Alaska to New Zealand.

#32 American Golden-Plover – Incredible endurance

American Golden Plover. O. W. Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
American Golden Plover. O. W. Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from the Arctic to southern South America, showcasing incredible endurance.

#33 Western Sandpiper – From Alaska to South America

Western Sandpiper. Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Sandpiper. Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Travels thousands of miles from breeding grounds in Alaska to wintering sites as far south as Central and South America.

#34 Buff-breasted Sandpiper – Stopovers in the Great Plains

Buff Breasted Sandpiper. Afsarnayakkan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Buff Breasted Sandpiper. Afsarnayakkan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from the Arctic to the grasslands of South America, often stopping in the Great Plains.

Are you enjoying this article? Keep exploring these 45 incredible migrations of North American wildlife. 

#35 Piping Plover – Migrates to the Gulf of Mexico

Piping Plover. Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Piping Plover. Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Winter migrations to the Gulf of Mexico, with critical stopovers along the way.

#36 Sooty Shearwater – One of the world’s longest migrations

Sooty Shearwater. DKRKaynor, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sooty Shearwater. DKRKaynor, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Undertakes one of the world’s longest migrations, from New Zealand to the North Pacific.

#37 Northern Gannet – From Canada to Mexico

Gannets. Odd Wellies, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gannets. Odd Wellies, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from breeding colonies in Canada and Europe to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of North America.

#38 Loggerhead Sea Turtle – Nesting beaches to feeding grounds

Loggerhead Sea Turtle. ukanda, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Loggerhead Sea Turtle. ukanda, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Navigate from nesting beaches in the Southeastern United States to feeding grounds across the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

#39 American Redstart – From the North to the South

American Redstart. Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
American Redstart. Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flies from North American breeding sites to wintering grounds in Central and South America.

#40 Wilson’s Warbler – Varied migrations

Wilson's warbler. Jonathan Eisen, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Wilson’s warbler. Jonathan Eisen, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from northern North America to Central America, with some reaching as far south as South America.

#41 Hudsonian Godwit – From the Artic to South America

Hudsonian Godwit. Francesco Veronesi from Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hudsonian Godwit. Francesco Veronesi from Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Travels from the Arctic to southern South America, stopping at key sites like the James Bay.

#42 Kirtland’s Warbler – Habitat-specific migrations

Singing Kirtland Warbler. SFWSmidwest, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Singing Kirtland Warbler. SFWSmidwest, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates between breeding grounds in Michigan and the Bahamas, one of the most habitat-specific migrations.

#43 Long-tailed Jaeger – Artic to Southern Oceans

Long-tailed Jaeger. Colorado State University Libraries, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Long-tailed Jaeger. Colorado State University Libraries, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates from the Arctic to the southern oceans, following a pelagic lifestyle outside the breeding season.

#44 Mangrove Cuckoo – Movements tied to mangroves

Mangrove Cuckoo. gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mangrove Cuckoo. gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Migrates within the Americas, with movements less understood but closely tied to mangrove ecosystems.

Bobolink. Wildreturn, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bobolink. Wildreturn, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Makes a remarkable journey from North to South America, covering distances up to 12,500 miles annually.

Thanks for reading 45 Incredible Migrations of North American Wildlife. Read more stories for US Animals today or about these 15 Fascinating & Weird Animals in the Amazon Rainforest.

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