They have not actually disappeared, thankfully. They are simply not 'hanging out' where humans may have become used to seeing them. Audubon Society of Rhode Island naturalist Kim Calcagno notes that she receives numerous calls and emails this time of year from concerned people who have noticed a remarkable dearth of birds in their yards and local parks. "Just as we can set the seasonal clock by the springtime robin and woodpecker phone calls, the start of autumn is distinctly marked by the profusion of calls asking what has happened to the birds," she says.

Well, what does happen to the birds?  Calcagno explains that it is part behavioral and part nutritional. "During the spring and summer, birds are focused on breeding. They come out to find a mate. They search to find nesting material. They forage endlessly for all those mouths to feed," she explains. "The birds you see are constantly taking risks by coming out in the open and exposing themselves to predators to get these things done. Once breeding is over for the season, they have some time before the winter comes to 'lay low' a bit, staying out of the view of predators and keeping out of the open areas. This behavior is normal and comes with the season."