bird of passage
Migratory winged creature
A bird of passage is a migratory bird—one that travels seasonally between regions.
The phrase extends figuratively to people who move frequently or stay only briefly in one place: He was a bird of passage, never settling anywhere for long.
It suggests impermanence without necessarily implying rootlessness as a flaw.
Homeless wanderer by choice
- drifterAimless, rootless traveler
- vagabondHomeless, aimless wanderer
- itinerantMoving for work
- roverDrifter or space explorer
wayfarer · peripatetic · footloose · restless · rootless · roamer · rambler · traveler
Limited in duration
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- impermanentNot meant to last
- transitoryBrief in duration
passing · brief · short-lived · momentary · sojourner · guest · visitor · passerby
Movement to new territory
- flywayEstablished bird migration path
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- nestingMaking a dwelling
- overwinteringEnduring the cold months
flocking · southward · northward · wintering · stopover · roosting · staging · swallow
One who resettles abroad
- emigrantPerson resettling in another nation
- expatriateOne living abroad permanently
- refugeePerson fleeing danger abroad
- displacedShifted from proper location
exile · resettlement · diaspora · stateless · newcomer · visa · relocation · uprooted
nomad
Homeless wanderer by choice
rover · wayfarer · peripatetic · footloose · restless · rootless · roamer · rambler · traveler · globetrotter
temporary
Limited in duration
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- impermanentNot meant to last
transitory · passing · brief · short-lived · momentary · sojourner · guest · visitor · passerby · stopover
migration
Movement to new territory
- flywayEstablished bird migration path
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- nestingMaking a dwelling
overwintering · flocking · southward · northward · wintering · stopover · roosting · staging · swallow · warbler
immigrant
One who resettles abroad
- emigrantPerson resettling in another nation
- expatriateOne living abroad permanently
- refugeePerson fleeing danger abroad
displaced · exile · resettlement · diaspora · stateless · newcomer · visa · relocation · uprooted · transplant
bird of passagepillar of the community
Respected local leader
lifer · company man · stalwart · mainstay · anchor
bird, passage, passenger, birds, passageway, passages, birdwatching, birdlike, birdwatcher