How Well-Fed Ducks Move Less, and Why It Matters for Bird Flu

Researchers at the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are examining the short-distance movements birds make outside of migration. The researchers found these birds travel a lot less in areas with human activity, likely because they're able to more easily find shelter, food, and water.

Original story accessed April 16, 2026 on https://www.gpb.org/news/2026/04/13/ducks-dont-travel-far-when-their-needs-are-met-could-affect-how-we-manage-bird-flu 

A new study from the University of Georgia looks at how waterfowl move in diverse habitats, and what that could mean for the spread of avian influenza.

Previously, researchers focused on long migratory flight paths, and where birds might spread avian influenza.

Claire Teitelbaum is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia and an assistant unit leader at U.S. Geological Survey. She led a recent study of more localized trips that birds make outside of migration.

She found these birds travel a lot less in areas with human activity, likely because they're able to more easily find shelter, food, and water.

Birds also travel less when they can find unique landscapes, like wetlands and green spaces, in close proximity.

"So they need a place to sleep and a place to eat, and those aren't the same place," she said. "So if you have those two different types of habitats that are close to each other, then they're not going to have to travel as far to be able to get everything that they need."

And if a bird doesn’t travel far, that’s a smaller area they might spread avian influenza.

Teitelbaum says she hopes this research will impact management strategies to prevent future outbreaks.