migratory
adj.adj. describing animals or people that move from one place to another at certain times of the year. You use this most often to talk about birds or fish that travel long distances to find food or better weather.
adj. relating to or characterised by seasonal movement from one region to another. Typically describes animals following cyclical patterns for breeding or feeding; can also describe human populations moving for seasonal work.
Many migratory birds fly south for the winter.
The local wetlands are a vital stop for migratory species during their long journey across the continent.
Conservationists are concerned that rising temperatures may disrupt the migratory patterns of several whale species, forcing them to seek new feeding grounds in unfamiliar waters.
Borrowed from Latin migrātōrius or migrate + -ory.
Typically used attributively before a noun; often pairs with 'birds', 'species', or 'patterns'.