Where do animals go when fall arrives? Inside the incredible migrations happening across the US

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Thousands of tree swallows fly through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge during fall migration

Video footage shared by the U.S. Department of the Interior captures thousands of tree swallows migrating through a national wildlife refuge in the fall.

THE TAKEAWAY

• Birds in North America migrate south to warmer temperatures in the fall.
• They go to places such as Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
• Many other animals migrate as well, including some fish and butterflies.

As fall begins in the U.S., many changes occur, such as colder weather, colorful leaves and animals migrating to different environments where they also play a vital role.

One of the best-known long-distance migrating animals is birds, but they aren't the only animals on the move at this time of year.

Bird migration

Birds migrate in search of food and a more suitable environment to establish a nesting habitat.

In the fall, birds in North America migrate south toward warmer temperatures to places such as Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

ICONIC GATEWAY ARCH GOES DARK TO HELP MILLIONS OF MIGRATING BIRDS NAVIGATE THE NIGHT

Species such as the common yellowthroat bird typically feast on insects such as grasshoppers, dragonflies, beetles, moth caterpillars and spiders. This means the species needs to follow the temperatures where these insect populations are blooming.

OCEANSIDE, NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: A House Sparrow populates the Marine Nature Study Area on August 16, 2026 in Oceanside, New York. The Long Island region provides a welcome habitat for a host of wildlife.  

( Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

Many other common migratory birds fly south to ideal conditions, such as songbirds (finches and sparrows), waterfowl (geese, swans and various ducks), shorebirds and birds of prey (bald eagles, falcons and various hawks), and they all migrate once temperatures begin to shift.

According to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, bird migration can start as early as mid-June and last through December.

BLACK BEARS ATTACK 2 WOMEN IN COLORADO JUST DAYS APART, BRINGING YEARLY TOTAL TO 10 AS ENCOUNTERS SURGE

27 February 2026, Berlin: 27.02.2026, Berlin. A kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) flies in the blue sky.

( Wolfram Steinberg/picture alliance / Getty Images)

More birds migrate in the fall than in the spring — thanks to population growth after the breeding season — so while this spring peak doesn’t surpass the all-time high, it still ranks as the largest spring movement the platform has recorded.

Other animals that migrate in the fall

Everyone knows about how many birds migrate during the year, but many other animals migrate as well, including some fish and butterflies.

STUNNING SIGHT AS HUNDREDS OF COWNOSE RAYS GLIDE THROUGH CRYSTAL-CLEAR GULF WATERS

Migratory animals often travel thousands of miles by land, air, or sea to reach the perfect destination.

Creatures such as tiny monarch butterflies travel from all over the country to spend the cold months in Mexico, according to the National Park Service.

ROSLYN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: A Monarch Butterfly populates the Cedarmere Park on August 16, 2026 in Roslyn, New York. The Long Island region provides a welcome habitat for a host of wildlife.

( Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

The gigantic beast, the caribou, has one of the longest terrestrial migrations of the year, traveling over 2,000 miles, typically between September and November.

Another large mammal that migrates in the fall is the humpback whale, which swims from Alaskan waters to Mexico or Hawaii to give birth and care for its young through the winter.

BEAR SIGHTINGS SPIKE ACROSS THE WEST AS DROUGHT SENDS ANIMALS ON A FEEDING FRENZY

NOAA said they can complete a 3,000-mile trip in 28 days.

Other large mammals such as elk and caribou also migrate south to escape the snow and find food, starting in late October.

BLACK BEARS ATTACK 2 WOMEN IN COLORADO JUST DAYS APART, BRINGING YEARLY TOTAL TO 10 AS ENCOUNTERS SURGE

As the astronomical start of fall approaches, many animals and other species have already begun their seasonal migrations in search of warmer temperatures.