Each year millions of birds engage in a remarkable feat of endurance and sheer will as they migrate thousands of miles across continents. These amazing bird migrations are truly a spectacular sight as the sky dark with hundreds of thousands of bodies as they fly overhead on their journey. It brings forth a feeling of hope and wonder at Mother Nature and all her glory. There are many places around the world where, we humans, can observer these birds and marvel at their tenacity and determination to do what they are meant to do, like countless generations before them.

Here are a list of some of most amazing bird migrations from all over the world along with their stopover points where they can be observed. 

#1 Sandhill cranes migration – Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon Nebraska

Sitting in a bird blind with small cutout windows for just enough space for binoculars and cameras in the middle of Nebraska might not be your idea of fun, but yet many people say this is the best way to watch the majestic sandhill cranes during their annual migration down south. These cranes are on their way South and are often found by the millions along the Platte river in Gibbon Nebraska.By day thousands of these birds forage for food in the corn fields around Gibbon. At night they roost in the shallow Platter river, sage from coyotes. Cranes are elegant and magical in the way they dance among each other. And the moment they take flight in unison is simply breathtaking. Once you have experienced this for yourself, you might find yourself making the annual trip to Gibbon just to see them again and again. The Rowe Sanctuary and the city of Gibbon have setup many resources for bird enthusiast and wildlife photographers who call Gibbon for many days every March.The best place to see sandhill cranes along their migration route is about 20 miles east of Kearney Nebraska along I-80 highway. And the best time to visit is around March to Mid-April, along Platte river during sunrise and just before sunset. Online registration for an outdoor blind opens January 21st and can be found online at Visit Kearney.

#2 Hummingbird migration – Southern United States

Many hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America or Mexico, and then migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern United States as early as February. Hummingbirds tend to fly by day when nectar sources such as flowers are more abundant. Flying low allows the birds to see, and stop at food supplies a.k.a flowers along the way. They are also experts at using tail winds to help reach their destination faster and by consuming less energy and body fat. Research indicates a hummingbird can travel as much as 23 miles in one day.It is fascinating that during migration, a hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times a minute, and its wings flap 15 to 80 times a second. To support this high energy level, a hummingbird will typically gain 25-40% of their body weight before they start migration in order to make the long trek over land, and water.The best place to see migrating hummingbirds is along the Southwestern states like Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Areas like Ramsey Canyon Preserve in Arizona or Davis Mountains State Park in Texas are especially known for some of the largest concentration of hummingbirds and as well as a diverse range of hummingbird species.

#3 Monarch butterfly migration – Mexico

#4 Pink flamingo migration – Mumbai, India

Since the 1980s, large flock of migratory flamingos have come to Mumbai in the late Fall. Each year somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 of the large pink birds frequent Mumbai – known as the financial capital of India along the western part of the country. Most of the birds hang out around the mudflats and marshes of Thane Creek to enjoy a buffet of blue-green algae. Surprisingly the green algae is a by-product of the sewage in the creek and as the sewage increases so does the number of flamingoes each year.The best time of the year to see these beautiful birds is around the end of November to mid- January and the best place to see them are along the Thane creek along the early morning hours before the haze from all the population in the city makes them difficult to spot.

#5 Bar-tailed Godwit migration – New Zealand

The Bar-tailed Godwits are perhaps the most epic migratory birds of all times. These birds run the equivalte of an Iron man marathon. They fly non-stop for eight days straight over the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to New Zealand – a journey of almost 7000 miles. Can you imagine going on a nine day flight with no time to sleep and nothing to eat or drink?The Bar-tailed Godwit is a relatively short-legged species of Godwit. The bill-to-tail length is 37–41 cm (15–16 in), with a wingspan of 70–80 cm (28–31 in). Yet these tiny birds holds the record for the largest non-stop flight of any bird, flying for over 11,000 km (6,835 mi) without rest. Right now, a Bar-tailed Godwit is out over the Pacific Ocean making an eight-day, non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand. More than 7,000 miles. No rest. No turning back. Only the great open ocean below.The birds began their northward migration in mid-March, typically completing the journey in two stages. First, the godwits follow the west Pacific Rim to the Yellow Sea, which lies between mainland China and the Korean peninsula. This leg, of over 10,000 km, is completed in a single flight and takes between six and eight days. The North Yellow Sea, particularly the area around the Yalu Jiang Nature Reserve, is an extremely important staging area each spring and is one of the best places to see these birds just before they undertake the long flight to New Zealand.

#6 Eared Gerbes migration – Antelope Island State Park Utah

With more 250 bird species along with bison, pronghorn and coyotes, Antelope Island State park in Utah is an incredible place to see some of nature’s finest species. When you drive along the seven-mile Davis Country causeway, you are likely to see thoudsna of migratory birds. The Eared Gerbes are just one of species that pass through the causeway and state park on their migration route. Other species include burrowing owls, pelicans, herons and Wilson’s phalarope.The best time to visit Antelope Island State park is around the Fall to catch all these migratory birds action.

So how do these birds manage to successfully migrate such long distances?

According to the American Bird Conservancy, over time and generations, birds master the mechanics of long-distance flight by developing a superb sense of direction and endless endurance. Further more their light-weight frames and powerful wings allow them to perform such amazing feats on a regular basis. Unfortunately climate change, destruction of critical habitat along the main migration routes, and natural disasters are some of the greatest threats to epic bird migrations.

Bird migrations instill a sense of awe and reverence for nature. Bird watching also takes you outside, often quite early in morning, and makes you aware of all the beauty around you.

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