When people drive long distances, we usually travel along highways and interstates.  These roads are designed so that you can keep going fast for long distances because there are not many stop lights or stop signs.  Ramps allow traffic to get on and off without making the other cars slow down.  There is a whole system of highways in the United States which generally go either from east to west or from north to south, connecting major cities along the way.  When birds travel long distances during their migration, they use a sort of highway system, too.  These are called flyways.

According to the msn encarta definition of flyway is a

birds’ migration route: a traditional route taken by migrating birds

In North America, there are four major flyways.  Each of them follows the geography of the country which helps birds find their way.  The winds in these areas also make updrafts which allow birds to fly high while using less energy.

General location of North American Flyways. Original map from http://www.freeworldmaps.net/

Many birds travel along these flyways, at least for a time, until they get close to their destination.  The Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways actually all come together in southern Texas.  This makes southern Texas an exciting place for birdwatching in the spring and fall.  People come from all over the world to add new species to their life list, a list of all the birds you have seen.

Next time you see a flock of birds fly overhead, think about the bird highways they travel on.  What a great way to travel!