B ird Banding Info. Most migrate south each fall from rather well-defined breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. They may winter in habitats throughout the Southeast Region, or even farther south into Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In the spring they return north to their breeding grounds, where young are produced and the cycle repeats. Resident birds that do not migrate, such as quail, turkey and pheasant, are managed solely through State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and not by means of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Migratory birds are an excellent indicator of the overall health of an ecosystem.
When bird species are declining, everyone should be concerned. For the vast majority of people, birds provide an everyday contact with wildlife and the natural world, especially in the urban environment. Protecting birds makes good business sense. Some migratory birds face serious challenges and need our help. Several species are in decline because of habitat loss, collisions with artificial structures, and environmental contaminants.