The post Why We Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day appeared first on A-Z Animals.
A flock of migrating birds soaring overhead can be a breathtaking sight. The problem is, when these birds are spotted flying en masse, their populations appear large and healthy. However, migratory bird populations are at their lowest in recorded history. Without scarce information available to the public, most people are unaware of these dwindling populations. This is why we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, in an effort to bring awareness to the threats these birds face during their long journeys.
What is World Migratory Bird Day?
World Migratory Bird Day raises awareness about the threats that migratory birds face.
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International Migratory Bird Day was first celebrated in 1993. The day was created by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, in hopes of bringing awareness to the plight of migratory birds.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were in charge of the program from 1995 until 2006. At that time, due to the exponential growth of the program, it needed to find a new home to be successful. As of 2007, the International Migratory Bird Day is under the care of Environment for the Americas.
International Migratory Bird Day officially changed its name to World Migratory Bird Day in 2018 when the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds joined forces with the program.
World Migratory Bird Day highlights the struggles experienced by migrating birds. Due to habitat loss, climate change, and declining populations, migratory birds need help. The more attention they receive, the better, which is why World Migratory Bird Day happens not once, but twice per year.
Why World Migratory Bird Day Is Celebrated Twice Per Year
International Migratory Bird Day / World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice per year to coincide with the migration patterns in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
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World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on October 11 in 2025; it was also celebrated on May 10, 2025. This doubling up is no mistake. The day is always celebrated twice per year to coincide with migratory bird seasons throughout the world.
In May, World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated in the U.S. and Canada. The October celebration occurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. The theme remains the same. However, the goal is to raise awareness about birds during peak migration season in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Each World Migratory Bird Day Has A Theme
The theme of 2025’s World Migratory Bird Day is, “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities”
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Each year, World Migratory Bird Day has a theme associated with it, a focus on one topic significantly impacting migrating birds. The goal is to find a solution for the specific issue.
The theme for 2025 World Migratory Bird Day is “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.” This theme was created to raise awareness of how cities and communities can aid migratory birds in their journeys.
Themes for past World Migratory Bird Day have included:
- “Protect Insects, Protect Birds (2024)
- “Water: Sustaining Bird Life (2023)
- “Dim the Light for Birds at Night (2022)
- “Sing, Fly Soar – Like a Bird” (2021)
- “Birds Connect Our World (2020)
Numerous components must align for migratory birds’ journeys to be successful. This is why a new topic is chosen annually, to focus on one piece of the complex migration puzzle at time.
Nearly 50% Of Birds Do Not Survive Migration
Half of the birds that migrate do not make it each year.
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Despite the fact that birds have migrated for generations, the long voyage is not an easy undertaking. In fact, 50% of the migrating birds that begin their journeys will not complete them. This is a startling percentage, especially considering that many of these species are already on the brink of extinction.
The birds most at risk during migration are those embarking on the trip for the first time. These birds do not know the toll the migration will take on their bodies, how to most strategically conserve energy, or where to forage to find enough food along their routes.
Additionally, when migratory birds take breaks along their path, they are exhausted and vulnerable to predators. Consequently, many land, only to never fly again.
According to Avian Bliss, one of the most significant problems leading to population decline is a lack of suitable habitat for rest and recuperation during the intense migration. Without places to stop along the way, migratory birds have no chance of survival. They need food, water, and safe places to rest. Without these, the future looks bleak for migratory birds.
Threats Facing Migratory Birds Today
Habitat loss is just one of the problems migrating birds face today.
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Migratory birds have followed the same paths for generations. Today, however, birds are abandoning some of these paths due to failing resources. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg in the issues that migratory birds face.
Some of the biggest threats to migratory birds include:
- Habitat loss due to housing developments and deforestation
- Climate change is altering the time of year birds begin their migration, making it more difficult to find resources to survive along the way
- Collisions with tall structures
- Poaching
- Stronger cyclones, tornadoes, and hurricanes
Due to these issues, migratory birds from around the world are struggling to complete their annual migrations. Consequently, with so many species joining the Endangered Species List, further extinction will undoubtedly occur in the absence of significant change.
Migratory Birds Under Threat
The Northern Bald Ibis is one of the migrating birds facing extinction.
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Several migratory bird species are considered threatened or endangered, yet they continue to make their annual journeys. Currently, 1,106 birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Of those, 89 are considered threatened or endangered via the U.S. Endangered Species Act. An additional 269 have been listed as “Birds of Conservation Concern.” Migratory bird populations are declining; if nothing is done, species will go extinct in the near future.
Some of the species most under threat of extinction include:
| Species | How Many Birds Are Left |
| Northern Bald Ibises | 200 to 250 |
| Yellow-Breasted Buntings | 120 to 600 |
| Black-Faced Spoonbills | 2,250 |
| Oriental White Storks | 1,000 to 2,499 |
| Whooping Crane | 50 to 249 |
These birds migrate to different areas of the world, but what they have in common is that their populations are extremely threatened. While this is troubling for the specific species, it is also detrimental to the planet.
What Would Happen If Migratory Birds No Longer Migrated
The planet, the economy, and different countries’ cultures would suffer if migratory birds no longer took flight.
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If migratory birds ceased to exist, environmental, cultural, and economic issues would be felt nearly immediately.
Consequences of migratory bird extinction:
- Food chain imbalance (without migratory birds dispersing seeds along their path, plant populations would suffer or, perhaps, cease to exist)
- Number of insects worldwide would increase
- Decrease in plant diversity
- Closures of ecotourism businesses
- Cultural heritage, symbols of society, and the joy these species bring would be lost forever
Migratory birds are an essential part of the ecosystem. Providing help along their paths, especially to those that suffer habitat destruction, can support species.
How To Help Migratory Birds
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With so many of the world’s migratory birds under the threat of extinction, saving them seems like a monumental task. However, even simple actions can be greatly beneficial to these birds.
Ways people can help migratory birds this season include:
- Plant local flowers and plants in the backyard to create an oasis for traveling birds
- Provide fresh water for thirsty fliers
- Make windows and sliding glass doors visible to keep birds from crashing into them
- Turn off outdoor lights at night to avoid confusion
- Keep cats indoors
Taking these simple steps can help provide migratory birds a safe environment in which to rest and recharge. If more people created hospitable layover habitats, more birds may stand a chance of making it to their destinations, safe from exhaustion or predation along the way.
The post Why We Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day appeared first on A-Z Animals.
October 11, 2025 at 06:32PMJessica Tucker.jpeg)
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