Adult males in the purple martin species have iridescent, dark wings that appear purple. While females have lighter plumage. Photo: Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images
Look up! Millions of birds are traveling through Texas this week as part of the annual spring migration.
Why it matters: Texas sits in the Central Flyway, a superhighway for birds traveling south before the winter months and back north during the spring.
State of flight: Fall migration happens between August and November. Spring migration peaks from mid-April to mid-May.
Warblers, ruby-throated hummingbirds and northern parulas are among the dozens of species that travel through Texas.
Most of the migration happens at night, and some birds travel as far as the Arctic in the spring.
By the numbers: An estimated 4.3 million birds crossed Texas between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Threat level: Drought, urbanization and heat can threaten birds by making it hard for them to find food and reproduce, per the National Audubon Society.
Brightly-lit buildings can also be disorienting to birds.
What to do: The Lights Out, DFW program asks businesses and homeowners to dim their outdoor lights during the bird migration seasons.
North Texans can turn off unnecessary lights 11pm-6am, close their blinds at night and aim any lit outdoor fixtures downward.
One fun thing: Texas Parks and Wildlife has this list of birds grouped by when they typically migrate.
White Rock Lake, the Trinity River Audubon Center, Joppa Preserve and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve are among the best bird-watching spots in North Texas.
