What is World Migratory Bird Day?

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual global awareness-raising campaign aimed at celebrating the amazing journeys of migratory birds and inspiring worldwide conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Traditionally observed on the second Saturday of May and October, the two days of World Migratory Bird Day serve as a means to reflect the cyclical nature of bird migration, as well as the varying peak migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres. In 2025, WMBD will be celebrated on 10^th May and 11^th October.

Today, the campaign shines as a beacon of cooperation, with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), Environment for the Americas (EFTA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) standing shoulder to shoulder. But fun fact, this collaborative tale first began in October 2017 with the trio CMS, AEWA, and EFTA. In a move reminiscent of the Three Musketeers, they combined strengths, integrating International Migratory Bird Day with World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) to champion the cause of our avian companions. Then, just five years later, on March 17th, the ensemble welcomed a new member as the EAAFP officially entered the fold during the 11th Meeting of Partners (MoP11) in Brisbane, Australia. This fresh partnership heralds an exciting phase in the ongoing quest to raise awareness and safeguard the remarkable voyages of migratory birds around the world.

Official website of World Migratory Bird Day: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

The Theme of World Migratory Bird Day 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. WMBD this year will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The initiative 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 encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.

For the World Migratory Bird Day 2025 Campaign Toolkit, click [here].

Discover 2025’s EAA Flyway Species on the WMBD Poster

Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) Conservation status: IUCN — Critically Endangered Once one of the most common birds in the Palearctic, the Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) is known for its bright golden feathers and melodious songs. It breeds across northern Eurasia and migrates to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent during winter. However, since the 1980s, its population has plummeted by 80%, according to 2017 surveys. Its conservation status has worsened from Vulnerable in 2013 to Critically Endangered in 2017. Every year, over 1,000,000 of these birds are killed illegally and cooked as food or sold as ornaments. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion in key areas has further added to the decline.
Common Crane (Grus grus) Conservation status: IUCN — Least Concern The Common Crane (Grus grus) 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.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Conservation status: IUCN — Least Concern The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds of up to 380 km/h during flight. Known for its long migrations, this raptor has also adapted to urban environments, successfully nesting on man-made structures like skyscrapers, bridges, and nest boxes. In cities, it uses artificial light from stadiums, streets, and shopping malls to hunt at night. While typically considered a daytime hunter, peregrine falcons are often seen hunting in the early morning or late evening in brightly lit urban areas.
Red Knot (Calidris canutus) Conservation status: IUCN — Near Threatened The Red Knot is a migratory shorebird that travels long distances, moving between wetlands, coastal areas, and marshes from the Canadian Arctic all the way to Tierra del Fuego in South America, including the Caribbean. The subspecies of Red Knot (piersmai and rogersi) migrate along the East AsianAustralasian Flyway. It feeds on hard-shelled mollusks and other soft invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, marine worms, and horseshoe crab eggs. However, global coastal development is threatening the stopover sites these birds rely on during migration. Tourist developments, oil spills, plastic pollution, and rising sea levels are all impacting the quality of these critical habitats.

Be Part of the WMBD Celebration!

01. Join Us Online

Don’t forget to register your event on the Global Portal at https://www.migratorybirdday.org/events/

02. Other World Migratory Bird Day 2025 Activities

You are invited to join the EAAFP Team on May 10 for the Global Big Day by eBird! Be part of our team and help record migratory waterbirds in the #EAAFlyway! Here’s what you need to do: Register for an eBird account. Go out and watch birds, keeping count of the birds you see. Submit your checklist to eBird and share it with “EAAFPTeam”! You can find the “EAAFPTeam” profile here: https://ebird.org/profile/MzgyMzk1NA