Migratory birds are likely responding to what environmental cue to initiate the behavior leading to migration from the northern breeding grounds to their more southern overwintering areas?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Migratory birds rely heavily on changes in day length as a cue to initiate their migration behavior. As days shorten in the fall, it triggers hormonal changes in the birds which prepares them for migration. This is especially important for birds that travel long distances, such as Arctic Terns, which need to time their migration correctly to take advantage of favorable winds and weather patterns. Changes in temperature, food supply, and predator activity may also affect migratory behavior, but they are not the primary environmental cue that initiates migration.

Migratory Birds Are Likely Responding to What Environmental Cue to Initiate