Animal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individuals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is found in all major animal groups, including
birds, mammals,
fish, reptiles, amphibians,
insects, and crustaceans. The trigger for the migration may be local climate, local availability of food, the season of the year or for mating reasons. To be counted as a true migration, and not just a local dispersal or
irruption, the movement of the animals should be an annual or seasonal occurrence, such as birds migrating south for the winter;
wildebeest migrating annually for seasonal grazing; or a major habitat change as part of their life, such as young
Atlantic salmon leaving the river of their birth when they have reached a few inches in size.