PURPOSE: World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It aims to draw attention to the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. The Day is celebrated bi-annually on the second Saturday in May and in October. a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them. Activities to mark the day will be held globally on two peak days in both May and October.
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; #WMBD2025; #10May;#SharedSpaces; #BirdFriendlyCities, #11October; #MigratoryBirds .
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!
PODCASTS: As migratory birds depend on a range of sites along their distribution area, the loss of wintering and stopover sites could have a dramatic impact on the birds’ chances of survival. Conversations about the history of bird migration and the Global Trends in Protection of Migratory Birds. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
Campaign materials: Join the Campaign “Creating bird-friendly cities and communities.” in celebration of the World Migratory Bird Day 2025. We hope that the collective World Migratory Bird Day energy and commitment we witnessed in the past years will carry on this year and in the years to come. Explore the social media communication tool and Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBATE THE DAY?
The world Migratory Bird Day is celebrated to mitigate the threats faced by birds on their migratory routes. Flying long distances involves crossing many borders between countries with differing environmental politics, legislation and conservation measures. It is evident that international cooperation among governments, NGOs and other stakeholders is required along the entire flyway of a species in order to share knowledge and to coordinate conservation efforts. The legal framework and coordinating instruments necessary for such cooperation is provided by multilateral environmental agreements such as CMS and AEWA. The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 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. However, every day is Bird Day, and you can celebrate birds and host events any day of the year!
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Are you passionate about migratory birds? Would you like to help to raise awareness about them and to conserve them and their habitats? If so, please read the following list of ideas on how you can take action. Our goal is to help stimulate knowledge of, and international participation in WMBD.
,Reflect on the cyclical nature of bird migration with varying migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Let the world know why we celebrate migratory birds and how everyone can contribute to the conservation of them and their habitats
Provide water to birds.
Connect with the WMBD Social Media Community.
Be creative and produce a video about migratory birds, Translate parts of the WMBD materials into your own language.
Help us make WMBD a sustainable, thriving global initiative - take part in it!
PARTNERSHIPS
The World Migratory Bird Day is organized by The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds; The Environment for the Americas with the support of Norwegian Environment Agency,Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, The Wetlands International, The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC); The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); The Birdlife International; The Ramsar Convention; The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); The UNEP; The BTO Tracking Studies; The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); The European Union of Bird Ringing (EURING); The African Bird Ringing Scheme (AFRING); The Russian Society for the Conservation and the study of Birds (BirdsRussia).