Preface

The silver-headed migratory snowbird can be found in their summer nesting sites throughout the northern United States and all of Canada. Each sub-species has evolved distinctly differing summer habits, but all are remarkable in that they return year after year to the exact same location, some inner instinctive guide leading them unfailingly to their summer homes.

Scientists have often questioned this homing behavior, as further investigation discovered the vast majority of these specimens maintain an empty nest, their fledglings having long since vacated to build nests of their own.

This observation effectively dismissed the long held theory that northward migration related to mating, nesting and raising of the young. In fact, one study determined most members of this species were no longer of prime age for reproduction, a surprising discovery. What then drove the silver-headed migratory snowbird to return?

Leading authorities postulate the urge to fly north is triggered by a phenomenon known as Tax Season, and in one subspecies, the silver-headed migratory snowbird Canadensis, by the need to hold significant presence in their summer nesting sites in order to maintain provincial health care status.

This return migration usually peaks in the month of April, with some stragglers arriving as late as May. Our studies indicate most of these late arrivals belong to a small group found in all subspecies, known as “the wealthy,” whose deviation from the norm appears to be wholly attributable to a stationary related species, herein referred to as “my accountant.” The small and insignificant number of late arrivals not belonging to aforementioned group has been labeled “no taxable income,” an unimportant sect of specimens to date, though their numbers do appear to be on the increase.

As previously mentioned, summer nesting behaviors vary so greatly as to be worthy of a separate study and will not be covered in this report, except to say we have found evidence of certain commonalities in this widespread species. All members appear to use the summer’s return to their northern sites in order to further bonding with their fledglings, and their fledglings’ fledglings. This bonding is likely to be another factor in their urge to return north, and should be considered for future studies.

Regardless of this diversity of summer behavior, we know and accept as fact, that the equally strong instinctive urge to fly south is triggered by climate change. When the foliage of their native habitat changes color and drops, when the wind shifts and blows primarily from the north, when frost and frozen precipitation appears, when the avian populace of their regions mass and prepare to leave, the snowbird begins preparation for the southward trip.

To no other snowbird does this change come earlier than the silver-headed migratory snowbird Canadensis. Therefore, we have narrowed the scope of this study to that subspecies.

The subspecies Canadensis can be broken down into four main groups, Orientalis, [found close to the shores of the Atlantic ocean] Quebecois, [self-explanatory] Ontariosis, [same] and Occidentalis, [a large group indigenous to the western provinces, further divisible as Prairie dwelling, Alpine and West Coast.]

Migratory Paths of the Silver-Headed Migratory Snowbird Canadensis

As was expected, the majority of individuals in each sub-group tend to follow habitual migratory paths. In the case of Quebecois, the preferred locale appears to be the East coast of Florida, whereas Ontariosis can be found in large numbers on the Gulf coast of West Florida. No one knows why this division in wintering sites occurs; only that it is indeed the case, and interestingly, only in Florida. To a lesser degree, members of each of these two groups can be found in South Carolina, Alabama, Bermuda and various islands of the Caribbean.

Occidentalis, the western group, generally seek winter accommodation in Phoenix, Arizona, the Gulf shores of Texas and southern California, with a large contingent of Occidentalis to be found in Mexico.

Indeed, Mexico as a Canadensis winter home is growing in popularity, so much so that members of all Canadensis sub-groups may be found there.

Orientalis is less rigid in behavior, with individuals of this sub-division to be found almost everywhere snow isn’t.

It was a long-held, erroneous belief that these migratory paths were indelibly etched on the collective brain of these subdivisions, and little deviation from these norms could be found. Lately, however, we’ve learned that individual members are not bound to these paths. Our program of catch, tag and track for the past several years has revealed a hitherto unknown divergence from habitual migratory patterns, and as such, this program should be continued. See footnote 7 – request for further funding.

Case study of deviant migratory behavior

One such subject is lmmartin, silver-headed migratory snowbird, Canadensis, Occidentalis, (prairie dwelling) female, age unknown, mating status – mated.

Subject was snared while sleeping in her summer nesting site of Alberta, humanely anesthetized, and tagged. This particular individual’s migration patterns were completely outside of the norm for the species, division and sub-division, and in the spirit of scientific research, she was fitted with a tracking device and a thought broadcaster in order to understand her deviant behavior.

At first, there was discussion as to whether this subject fit the prerequisites of this program, as her deviant migratory patterns could be the influence of her mate. Subject had mated outside of her species, to one jpmartin, a member of the unstudied Americanus Louisianus (swamp dwelling), a non-migratory species. It is of interest to note that following their official mating rite of marriage, it was jpmartin who altered his cultural behavior and adopted that of the snowbird. On that basis, and considering the lengthy history of migration exhibited by this mismatched pair, they did, in fact meet the preconditions of this study. Refer to footnote 23 – criteria for the study of deviant migratory behavior.

The winter site chosen by this mated pair is the Gulf coast of Florida, a domain not usually associated with the Canadensis Occidentalis, prairie dwelling. We questioned why she would reject Phoenix, Arizona, the normal site for this sub-group, and came to the conclusion it was in deference to her mate, who would certainly seek out the similar alligator infested swamp land of his origins.

Even more surprising, this pair does not migrate together, with the female Canadensis preceding her mate and travelling by automobile for the 3,600-mile migration and the male Americanus Louisianus, following some time later by airplane. It was the thought broadcaster that answered this paradox. Apparently, this pair has learned through past experience, (proving once again the species is capable of rational thought and adaptive behavior) that crossing the 49^th parallel together as mates with differing passports causes suspicion, questions and unwanted delays. See footnote 76 – the influence of U.S. Homeland Security, tightened border restrictions, and international marriages on the migratory behaviors of snowbird. The thoughts broadcasted during these encounters were not entirely understood, but the one phrase often repeated, “Aw shit,” was clear, though its significance remains a mystery.

Entirely deviant to the understood behavior of migratory snowbirds, is her practice of not following the most direct route, but selecting a different one for each migration, sometimes adding many hundreds of extra miles to the already lengthy trip. We assume, since she travels outside of the normal migratory path, her homing devices are not functioning properly.

Conclusion

It is now apparent that the subject, lmmartin, is preparing for her annual southern migration. We have seen the usual restlessness that precedes departure, heard the thoughts. “Oh, damn that north wind is getting bitter,” watched the normal pre-migratory behaviors, such as the garage sale, to insure a return to a tidy summer nest, and the packing of suitable lightweight clothing for her winter environment.

Furthermore, she has increased her attention to U.S. news and politics, and rekindled her attachments to her friends in the south. Last night, her thought broadcaster let us know she sat with travel atlas in hand, planning her route for this year’s migration.

Strangely, she plans to cross the border at Sweetgrass, Montana, and then follow the south and eastward track of the Rocky Mountains. This will take her through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico to El Paso, Texas, where she will turn left and drive the entire width of that overly large state. She will then cross Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, entering Florida through the western extreme of the panhandle, and drive to her winter nest, half-way down the peninsula on the Gulf coast.

Fellow researchers into the perplexing science of the silver-headed migratory snowbird, this is our big chance. We’ve been able to install in this subject the idea she should travel with a camera and a recording device, and document not only the sights she enjoys, but also her thoughts along the way.

We’ve just been informed she plans to depart in a week to ten days. Stand by for more exciting insights into the life of one snowbird.