Shifts in global temperature and seasonal patterns are disrupting the delicate timing of avian migration and reproduction. This study examines how climate-induced changes in temperature and food availability affect the breeding schedules of long-distance migratory birds. Using a decade of field data from multiple nesting sites, we found that earlier spring warming prompts premature arrivals, leading to a mismatch between peak food abundance and chick-rearing periods.

These findings underscore a growing ecological imbalance driven by climate change. As mismatches intensify, reproductive success declines, threatening population stability across species. Understanding these timing discrepancies allows conservationists to predict which bird populations are most vulnerable — and to develop adaptive management strategies that help synchronize migration and breeding cycles with a rapidly changing environment.