What primary environmental signal prompts the Eastern Kingbird to leave its northern breeding grounds?
Answer
The decline in flying insect prey across the temperate zone
The transition south is triggered as shortening days signal the inevitable decline in flying insect prey, which is their main food source in temperate areas.
Related Questions
What classification describes the Eastern Kingbird based on its migration pattern?What primary environmental signal prompts the Eastern Kingbird to leave its northern breeding grounds?Which geographical areas form the primary non-breeding range for the Eastern Kingbird?When does the southward migration of the Eastern Kingbird generally begin in earnest?By what time have the majority of Eastern Kingbirds usually settled into their wintering habitats?Why is the spring return migration typically slower than the southward journey?How does the Eastern Kingbird's intense territorial behavior change upon reaching its tropical wintering grounds?What becomes the primary behavioral focus for the Eastern Kingbird during the winter months?What crucial preparation allows individuals to successfully cross major geographical barriers like the Gulf of Mexico during migration?During the summer, what characteristic defines the Eastern Kingbird's breeding range geographically?Why must conservation strategies for the Eastern Kingbird account for habitat health in both North America and the Neotropics?