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Fall migration extends mainly from September to the end of November. November is when some species of birds are still migrating to their overwintering sites.
November is known mainly for waterfowl migration. This is when many of the geese, ducks, and swans are on the move to warmer areas of the country. Waterfowl like Lesser Scaup and Northern Pintail migrate in late fall, as do Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and Sandhill Cranes.
Read below to find out more details on the sorts of birds you can find migrating in November, and what kinds of food these birds enjoy.
TIP: If you want to check out the best pair of binoculars for bird watching, we recommend a pair of waterproof and fog-proof 8 x 42 binoculars like the Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars (Amazon link).
What birds migrate in November?
November is a great time to spot waterfowl that are on the move. Duck species like the Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, and Green-winged Teal are migrating in November. Diving ducks like Lesser Scaup and Greater Scaup are also moving in late November. Snow Geese and Tundra Swans are also migrating south at this time of the year, as are Sandhill Cranes. Gulls, especially uncommon and rare species, may be noticed in the Great Lakes area in November.
Waterfowl depend on water to find much of their food, so when lakes and rivers freeze over in winter, they are unable to find much of the food they need to survive. This is why large numbers of these birds migrate south to areas where water is not frozen, and they can find food. There are few sights as impressive as thousands of geese and ducks on migration.
Northern Pintail
This duck breeds in Canada and the northern plains. These ducks bird migrate to Mexico and the southern states in fall, where they overwinter. You can see Northern Pintails on water where there is vegetation, although in winter they may also occur at estuaries and on fields. These ducks feed on various food items including aquatic plants, grains, and insects.
American Black Duck
The American Black Duck spends the summer and nests in the northeastern United States and Canada. They do migrate further south in late fall, spending time in southeastern states like Florida, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Georgia. These are dabbling ducks that don’t fully dive underwater. They also feed on a lot of vegetation like aquatic plants, and will take invertebrates and insects.
My Favourite Equipment for Bird Watching
Bird watching is one of the least expensive hobbies out there, but you still need some equipment to get the most out of it.
The essential equipment to start bird watching is a pair of binoculars. My preference is 8 X 42 binoculars. The number 8 is how much the magnification is, while 42 is the field of view in millimeters of the lenses.
A pair of waterproof and fog-proof 8 x 42 binoculars like the Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars on Amazon is an excellent choice for both beginners and experts.
In time, you can choose more expensive models and also opt to buy a spotting scope like the Celestron Ultima 80 on Amazon.
These are a lot more expensive compared with binoculars though, so if you are only a beginner, start with binoculars first. A spotting scope is only helpful for birds far away, such as out on a pond or seashore.
There are a few rules or guidelines you should abide by as an ethical birder. These are listed below.
- Do not enter private lands without prior permission from landowners.
- Follow all the rules in refuges and reserves, including cleaning up any garbage from your campsite.
- Do not disturb birds on nests.
- Do not use apps and play songs to call up birds when they are hungry, tired, and breeding during spring and summer.
American Wigeon
Male wigeons are attractive birds, having metallic green and a white stripe on the top of the head. The American Wigeon is yet another dabbling duck that wings its way south during November, when conditions in the north deteriorate. They rely more on aquatic plants for food than do the other ducks.
They breed primarily in Canada and northern states like Montana and North Dakota. Winter is spent in Mexico, parts of Central America, northern reaches of South America, Mexico, and southern states like Texas and Louisiana.
Mallard
Mallards are ducks found in many countries around the world. In North America, they breed throughout Canada and then move down into the U.S. when conditions turn cold and food becomes scarce in their summer range. They will spend winter in the southeastern states and in Mexico.
Mallards are one of the most adaptable waterfowl around, inhabiting various water bodies from small ponds to big lakes and dams. They also can occur on farms and in city parks. They feed on a range of food items, which is partly why they can occur in a wide variety of places. They will take aquatic vegetation, seeds, grains, and invertebrates and insects.
TIP: Knowing how to spot the birds in your yard is key to enjoying visits from your winged friends as much as possible! The best sources are trusted books, I recommend using the following (Amazon links):
– National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
– National Audubon Society Birds of North America
Lesser Scaup
The Lesser Scaup stands out as the most abundant of all the diving ducks in North America. These birds do dive underwater unlike the dabbling ducks, which do not. The Lesser Scaup spends the summer in Canada and a few areas of the Pacific Northwest. They migrate southwards in November taking up residence in southern states like Texas. They do occur on both small and large water bodies, and will dive to feed on vegetation and invertebrates in the water.
Snow Goose
Snow Geese can be found during migration, in flocks of thousands of individuals. These geese breed in Siberia and make long trips to overwintering grounds. They overwinter in a handful of southern states like Louisiana and Arkansas, and they also spend time on the eastern coastline of Mexico, and the Texas coast. They eat plant material and will also feed on crops. They have been seen also feeding on berries and fly larvae at times.
Tundra Swan
These swans breed in the Arctic and then migrate down through Canada to reach wintering sites along the northern Pacific coast and mid-Atlantic coast. They occur on various water bodies, and during migration they prefer staying on waters that are near fields where they can find plant material to feed on; this may include agricultural crops, such as soybean and corn.
TOP TIP: Read my complete guide to discover the best time for bird watching in all seasons. Have you ever wondered how many birds are in the world? Find out the answer and other fun facts in this article.
Sandhill Crane
These cranes remain resident all year in a few spots in Florida and Mississippi. They are also permanent residents in Cuba. Other populations of the cranes do nest and spend the Summer in Canada. They move down through many of the central plain states like Nebraska and Kansas, arriving to spend the winter in Texas.
Some cranes also overwinter in Florida. They occur in wetland areas but also on open grasslands during migration. The birds are omnivorous, feeding on various food items like invertebrates, grains, and plants. They will even prey on small vertebrates like frogs or nestlings. Some people have reported Sandhill Cranes also migrating in December, so in some parts of the country, they may still be moving through as late as a month later.
TIP: Are you looking for high-quality food for wild birds on your backyard? I recommend using Wagner’s products with the highest quality grains used in blending and made in the USA (Amazon links):
– Deluxe Treat Blend Wild Bird Food
– Eastern Regional Wild Bird Food
– Western Regional Wild Bird Food
– Midwest Regional Wild Bird Food
– Southern Regional Wild Bird Food
Whooping Crane
This bird is an endangered species with only about 600 individuals in the wild today. A few isolated populations of the birds do migrate, and people have also trained birds to migrate. Birds in Canada will migrate to Texas in November. There are re-introduced populations in Florida and Louisiana that do not migrate. Efforts have been made to train the re-introduced individual cranes to migrate. This is done using ultralight aircraft.
Whooping Cranes like marshy habitats and feed on a variety of plant material, including berries and stems. They also look for invertebrates and small vertebrates. They are often seen probing in shallow waters searching for food items.
Gulls
Iceland Gulls may be found along the northern U.S. coast in winter. Iceland Gulls are actually partial migrants, with some individuals migrating in late fall. These birds do nest in the Arctic and a proportion of the population remains there during winter. The Iceland Gulls breed in large colonies set on cliffs in the Artic region. Though they are mainly piscivorous, they will also take other food like zooplankton and offal.
TIP: Choosing the right bird feeder is crucial when you want to attract birds on your backyard. There are a lot of options on how and where to place a bird feeder. Check out my picks on different bird feeders below (Amazon links):
– Free-standing Bird Feeder
– Hanging Bird Feeder
– Bird Feeder with Camera
Conclusion
November is considered late fall, and it is the peak time for waterfowl migration. The waterfowl will be migrating away from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds at this time. Huge flocks of ducks, swans, and geese may be seen during November. This is a great time to go bird watching to add waterfowl to your life list. Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes are also on the move in November, and can be spotted on their way to Texas and Florida.