Raise awareness about the threats facing these fascinating creatures that travel vast distances during their seasonal movements. 

 



In 2023, the World Migratory Bird Day theme is Water - Sustaining Bird Life. Water is fundamental to sustaining life on our planet. Virtually all migratory birds rely on water and its associated habitats at some point during their life cycles. Lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands, and coastal waters are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting and as places to rest and refuel during long seasonal migrations.

Unfortunately, these aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world, and so are the migratory birds that depend on them. The increasing human demand for water, as well as pollution and climate change, is having a direct impact on the quantity and quality of water resources and on the conservation status of many migratory bird species.


In 2023, the importance of water is the focus of World Migratory Bird Day, an annual global campaign that celebrates the migration of birds across countries and continents. Throughout the year, we will spread the message that “water sustains bird life” and provide actions for managing water resources and protecting healthy aquatic ecosystems.


Aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world, and so too are the migratory birds that depend on them. The increasing human demand for water, as well as pollution and the impacts of climate change , are having a direct impact on the quantity and quality of water resources and on the conservation status of many migratory bird species.

 

On the 14th of October, the United Nations commemorates World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD). The day was established to raise awareness about the threats facing these fascinating creatures that travel vast distances during their seasonal movements. 


To celebrate the day, here are 10 facts on migratory birds. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Common Crane (Grus grus).

Image
The Common Crane is a large bird with an impressive wingspan . Its migration patterns can be tracked by radar and even from aircraft, as they travel from breeding areas in northern Europe to as far south as Ethiopia. During migration, they mainly use rural areas like meadows, flooded grasslands, and permanent lakes . However, they can also be spotted in artificial ponds, sports fields, and open urban parks where they rest. Hunting is a concern where large flocks are targeted due to the crop damage they can cause. In agricultural areas and cities, Common Cranes are also at risk of collisions with power lines or wind turbines.
Read more

Joint message by the heads of the founding partners of the World Migratory Bird Day 2025 campaign.

Image
Watch the Joint video message by:  Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) .  Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) . Susan Bonfield, Director of the Environment for the Americas (EFTA) .  Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) .  
Read more

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).

Image
The White Stork migrates from northern Europe to central Africa. It lives near slow-moving streams, ponds, and lakes, where it hunts a variety of prey, including insects, lizards, fish, birds, small rodents, and marsupials. During the breeding season, White Storks build large, wide nests using branches, grass, and vegetation . These nests are typically located in high places such as treetops, rooftops, schools, houses, or even on utility poles and communication towers . However, this puts them at risk of electrocution or injury from collisions with wires . In areas near rural or urban settings, they may mistakenly eat harmful waste like rubber bands or poisoned animals, especially near landfills or polluted streams, which can be fatal.
Read more