Neotropical migrants are birds which breed in British Columbia during the summer months, and when winter arrives, they fly down to Central and South America, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands. Migratory birds are important to British Columbia, as they maintain a healthy biorhythm throughout the province, as well as the entire continent. There are about 200 species of neotropical migrants, the majority being songbirds. They also include shorebirds, some raptors, and waterfowl.