Species fact sheet by Global Register of Migratory Species - www.groms.de

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Highly migratory, breeding throughout North & Central America and wintering in South America, possibly as far S as N Patagonia. Migrates in loose flocks, large numbers often passing along favoured routes. Nominate race leaves breeding grounds late Jul to early Oct (mainly mid-Aug to early Sept), generally moving S through Central America, although some E populations may use transoceanic routes, as regular and occasionally very common autumn migrant on Bermuda. Winters in South America E of Andes, as far S as N Argentina. In spring, returning birds arrive on breeding grounds late Apr to late May (mainly middle to late May). After breeding season, race sennetti moves S through Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma, then possibly through E side of Central America. Race hesperis moves S through SW USA and Central America, although occasionally recorded E of normal routes. Race henyri moves SE through Central America, and possibly across Gulf of Mexico. Race howelli moves S through CS USA, Mexico and Nicaragua. Race chapmani possibly moves SE and winters from C Brazil to N Argentina. Race neotropicalis leaves breeding grounds in Aug and probably Sept. In spring, returning birds may begin arriving in Jan, though most not until Mar-May. Race aserriensis moves SE through Central America. Movements of race panamensis poorly documented. Vagrants have occurred in autumn in Iceland, Faeroes, Britain (mid-Sept to late Oct), at sea near Azores, and on Tristan da Cunha (late Nov).   (del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (eds), 1999)

• digitised by GROMS, after del Hoyo J A Elliott; J Sargatal (eds) (1999) - www.hbw.com,
• Copyright: GROMS/BfN - www.groms.de
  
  (A digitised version of this map is published in GIS shape format on the GROMS CD).