World Migratory Bird Day 2025; May 10th.

FORUM: “Creating bird-friendly cities and communities.” World Migratory Bird Day 2025. The WMBD 2025 will emphasize that every community - urban to rural - can play a significant role in supporting migratory birds. Through good city planning, and by adopting bird-friendly practices like creating healthy habitats, reducing pollution, and preventing collisions with glass windows and other built objects, communities can significantly contribute to the well-being of migratory birds. If Urban expansion and man-made environments is not managed properly, it can pose significant threats to these birds, leading to habitat loss and increasing the risks like fatal collisions with buildings and glass. Through good upstream planning for sustainable urban development that avoids sprawl and destruction of habitat as well as collaborative efforts with neighbors, schools, and local organizations, everyone can protect birds and raise awareness about their importance to the health of the planet and its ecosystems. By bringing nature back into our cities and working together, citizens and elected officials alike can help our natural environments and lessen the negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity. There are actions everyone can take to protect our shared spaces with wildlife. In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme will encourage action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide. Join the conversations, please follow the hashtags: #WorldMigratoryBirdDay; #SharedSpaces; #BirdFriendlyCities #WMBD2025; #10May; #MigratoryBirds; #11October.

 

 

EVENTS: In 2025, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on two days, 10 May and 11 October, aligning with the cyclic nature of bird migration in different hemispheres. With bird-watching activities worldwide; The World Migratory Bird Day 2025 will be officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US (May 10th in 2025), and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (October 11th in 2025). The partners behind World Migratory Bird Day are happy to announce that the theme for the 2025 campaign will be dedicated to creating bird-friendly cities and communities. The campaign will highlight the need for a healthy coexistence between humans and birds. It will focus on creating and adapting environments that support migratory bird populations across all communities, from bustling cities to smaller towns and communities. The campaign is a joint effort of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas and the EAAFP. The addition of the EAAFP to this Partnership will strengthen engagement and awareness for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Watch the list of events related to birds and Explore some activities!

Join the global celebration of migratory birds and come enjoy a day of nature-walks and nature-talks as well as a special bird tour for families with children (age 6 and older from 11:00 - 13:00) at the “House of Nature” in Bonn on World Migratory Bird Day.

VIRTUAL EVENTS: Watch the webinars held for this occasion by the EFA!

World Migratory Bird Day 2024; May 11th.

FORUM: “Protect insects, Protect birds” World Migratory Bird Day 2024. During the day, we will focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds, and highlight concerns related to decreasing populations of insects. Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations. Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers. The timing of bird migration often coincides with peak insect abundance at stopover locations, supplying nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys. Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions. Overpopulation of certain insects, without natural predators from birds, can also cause outbreaks that damage plant health and agriculture. The campaign in 2024' “Protect Insects,Protect Birds” will highlight the need for proactive conservation measures. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming. Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for birds and other species, in agricultural landscapes. Stay tuned on how you can get involved and follow the hashtags:#ProtectInsectsProtectBirds; #WorldMigratoryBirdDay; #WMBD2024; #11May; #12October; #Insects.

 

EVENTS: In 2024, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on two days, 11 May and 12 October, aligning with the cyclic nature of bird migration in different hemispheres. With birdwatching activities worldwide; The World Migratory Bird Day 2024 will be officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US (May 11th in 2024), and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (October 12th in 2024). The campaign is a joint effort of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas and the EAAFP. The addition of the EAAFP to this Partnership will strengthen engagement and awareness for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Watch the list of events related to birds and Explore some activities!

World Migratory Bird Day 2022; May 14th.

FORUM: "Dim the lights for birds at night." World Migratory Bird Day 2022.

Light Pollution will be the focus of the World Migratory Bird Day campaign.

Artificial light is increasing globally by at least 2 per cent per year and it is known to adversely affect many bird species. Light pollution is a significant threat to migratory birds, causing disorientation when they fly at night, leading to collisions with buildings, perturbing their internal clocks, or interfering with their ability to undertake long-distance migrations.

 

Solutions to light pollution are readily available. For instance, more and more cities in the world are taking measures to dim building lights during migration phases in spring and autumn. Best practice guidelines are also being developed under the Convention on Migratory Species to address this growing issue and ensure that action is taken globally to help birds migrate safely.

EVENTS

Every Word Migratory Bird Day event is unique and as diverse and creative as the people and organizations involved. United by a common theme and campaign, #WorldMigratoryBirdDay events
take place in all corners of the world and involve and inspire thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds. While events are usually organized on one of the two peak days of World Migratory Bird Day, events can be linked to World Migratory Bird Day throughout the year.

There are really no limits on creativity! A successful World Migratory Bird Day event often gets people outside, engages them in learning about birds and habitats, and equips them to take conservation action. WMBD events usually promote the conservation theme, contribute to raising awareness or
encourage people to take action. 

This year’s event could highlight the impact of light pollution by including night-time bird walks and other evening programs focusing on nocturnal bird migration as well as citizen science projects and other dark-sky-themed activities.  The 2022 World Migratory Bird Day can also be used as an occasion to highlight any actions already being taken to address the issue of #lightpollution within your government, city or community. These actions could be changes in policy or a concrete future commitment which could be announced.

ACTIVITIES: Past activities and awareness-raising events have included birdwatching tours, educational workshops and exhibitions, webinars, festivals, and painting competitions, which have been organized at schools, parks, town halls, education centers, and nature reserves. 

World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

World Migratory Bird Day 2016, 10 May.

World Migratory Bird Day - 9/10 May
Всемирный день мигрирующих птиц, 10 мая.
世界候鸟日, 5月10日.
Journée mondiale des oiseaux migrateurs, le 10 mai.
Día Mundial de las Aves Migratorias, 10 de mayo.
اليوم العالمي للطيور المهاجرة، 10 مايو.

Theme 2016 : Stop the illegal killing, taking and trade of Migratory birds!


Tackling illegal killing and trade in wildlife, including birds, and mobilizing global action around the issue will also be the focus of the 2016 World Environment Day, which takes place on 5 June and is hosted by Angola, under the slogan 'Go Wild for Life.' A global UN campaign to garner support for stopping the trade in many species and their products will also be launched.

 

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.


"Migratory birds are symbols of the inter-connectedness of life on earth. Their annual migrations across countries and continents inspire people of all ages, all over the world. I fully support the global campaign dedicated to celebrating this natural wonder and raising awareness about the threats these birds face, from habitat destruction to pollution and climate change. This year's World Migratory Bird Day highlights a growing danger: the illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds. I commend the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) for the important work they are doing, along with many dedicated people and organizations around the world. As we celebrate these nomads of the sky, let us act on earth to secure their future -- and ours."


Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon.


Other Statements

- Statement by Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Dr. Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Dr. Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Mr. Braulio Ferreira De Souza Dias, Executive Secretary Convention on Biological Diversity on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Ms. Patricia Zurita, Chief Executive BirdLife International on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Mr. Spike Millington,  Chief Executive Partnership for the East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAFP) Secretariat on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Interpol, The International Criminal Police Organization ICPO or INTERPOL,
- Statement by Dr. Fernando Spina, Chair of the Scientific Council Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statements by EUFJE The European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Mr. George Aman, President of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.
- Statement by Ms. Mechtild Rössler, Director of the Division for Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre on World Migratory Bird Day 2016, May 10.

 

Forum : World Migratory Bird Day - 9/10 May

Stop the illegal killing, taking and trade of Migratory birds!

With the slogan " … and when the skies fall silent?", World Migratory Bird Day 2016 aims to highlight the incredible numbers of migratory birds being lost each year as a result of illegal killing, taking and trade. The motives behind these illicit activities are various and the toll that they are taking is incredible – millions of birds are being killed each year – numbers that are totally unsustainable and which alongside other pressures such as habitat loss and climate change are leading to many once common species being threatened with extinction.

Opinions : Tackling Africa's Impending Vulture Crisis.

 

Migratory Birds - Connecting Continents

 Events :  World Migratory Bird Day Global Events Map 2016.

Ahead of the Day, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) announced the creation of the Intergovernmental Task Force on Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean composed of Governments and the European Commission.
UN organizations such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), international environmental treaties, INTERPOL, law enforcement and judiciary organizations, hunting communities and nongovernmental organizations will also be part of the coalition.

"Spread your wings for Bird conservation" International Migratory Bird Day 2016

In 2016, International Migratory Bird Day highlights the importance of international efforts to conserve birds through agreements, laws, treaties, and collaborations. This year also marks the Centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty, a landmark agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico to protect our shared migratory birds. The 11 bird species on the poster represent the iimportance of these ag...reements among governments and illustrate the many ways we, as citizens, may be involved in ensuring that these protections remain in place. The IMBD poster image was created by Canadian artist, Lionel Worrell.


 News :
- World Migratory Bird Day Event Photos

 - Warning skies may 'fall silent,' United Nations calls for end to illegal Poaching and Trade of Migratory birds
- Countries Meet to Tackle Threats to Europe’s Most Endangered Bird of Prey. Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP-CMS).
-  Birds That Use Birdhouses. Mass Audubon.
- CITES and Wild Bird Trade.
- European Commission Roadmap towards Eliminating Illegal Killing, trapping and Trade of Birds.
- Illegal bird killing is taking place at quite extraordinary and unsustainable levels
- The Red List Index for Internationally Traded Bird Species Shows their Deterioration in Status

 

Migratory Birds

Become a Sponsor or Partner of World Migratory Bird Day.

Dedicated governments, organizations or individuals interested in becoming Partners or Sponsors of of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD).