Most birds that migrate during the day (diurnal) are soaring birds such as hawks, storks, pelicans, cranes and swallows. Rather than using their own energy to fly, like powered flyers, soaring birds depend on the rising air currents and wind to provide lift. There are a variety of ways they can gain altitude and speed as described in some examples below.

Ridge gliding

Flying at a lower altitude, soaring birds take advantage of the updraft of wind deflecting off trees and ridges. Given steady wind and a long ridge, a bird can travel 300 miles in one day.

Thermal spiraling

As the earth is heated by the sun, warm air begins to rise, creating thermal uplifts. As the day progresses, thermals grow stronger and reach higher altitudes. Birds depend on this rising air to gain altitude and speed, soaring in an upward spiral motion.

Hawks and raptors, mainly solitary birds, form flocks to locate thermals more easily during migration.

Dynamic soaring

Some seabirds such as albatross, shearwaters, pelicans, gulls and terns migrate over water. Although not dependent on soaring flight, they take advantage of the wind currents blowing over the waves. By soaring and gliding, they greatly reduce the amount of energy required for extremely long distances. Some seabirds travel more than 12,500 miles each year.

Flapping migrants fly primarily at night and in the early morning. Soaring migrants fly during the day when warm air rises and gives them a lift.