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World Migratory Bird Day takes flight every second Saturday of May, honoring the incredible resilience and vital ecological role of migratory birds. Join global efforts to protect these feathered travelers and their essential habitats. Learn about conservation, support bird-friendly initiatives, and participate in local birdwatching events.
Want to sponsor World Migratory Bird Day? Learn how
Expected World Migratory Bird Day Deals
World Migratory Bird Day focuses on advocacy and conservation rather than commercial deals. Organizations like BirdLife International and the National Audubon Society lead fundraising drives, often partnering with brands like Patagonia or REI for donation matches on outdoor gear. Many local bird sanctuaries and wildlife centers host special events, offering opportunities to donate or purchase educational materials. Optics companies such as Zeiss and Swarovski Optik may highlight their birdwatching binoculars, while retailers like Wild Birds Unlimited promote eco-friendly bird feeders and seed. We encourage direct support to conservation groups. We will update this page with confirmed live events and campaigns as May approaches.
Platform Guide for World Migratory Bird Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. Share stunning photos of migratory birds, local birdwatching spots, or educational infographics about bird conservation.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. Post real-time updates from bird counts, share facts about migratory routes, or highlight urgent conservation news.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #WorldMigratoryBirdDay. Engage with community groups, share local event details, or post videos of bird releases and rehabilitation efforts.
World Migratory Bird Day Hero
Roger Tory Peterson
World Migratory Bird Day timeline
The initiative is created by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) in collaboration with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
CMS, AEWA, and Environment for the Americas (EFTA) merge two of the largest bird education campaigns — International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) and World Migratory Bird Day.
The joint campaign is celebrated as World Migratory Bird Day twice a year in May and October.
The theme for WMBD is ‘Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!’
World Migratory Bird Day FAQs
When is World Migratory Bird Day?
In 2026, World Migratory Bird Day falls on Saturday, May 9, inviting everyone to appreciate the incredible journeys of birds. This annual observance raises awareness about the need for bird conservation.
How many bird species migrate?
Approximately 4,000 different species of birds, representing about 40% of the entire avian population, undertake migratory journeys each year. These epic travels are primarily driven by the pursuit of food and suitable breeding grounds.
What are the biggest threats to migratory birds?
Migratory birds face numerous threats, including habitat loss and degradation, climate change, collisions with buildings and wind turbines, and pesticide use. These challenges impact their breeding, stopover, and wintering grounds.
What is the purpose of World Migratory Bird Day?
The purpose of World Migratory Bird Day is to raise global awareness about migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them and their habitats. It emphasizes the ecological importance of these species.
World Migratory Bird Day Activities
Go on a nature walk
Get in touch with your local ecosystem and see what birds frequent your area. See if you can spot which birds are native to the area, and which are visitors from far-off places. When the seasons chance, see if you can spot which species leave, and which ones arrive to take their place. For bonus points, you can keep a journal and see how things change from year to year.
Get involved with the Audubon Society
The Audubon Society is dedicated to the conservation, health, and welfare of all different kinds of birds. There are about 500 local chapters nationwide, and each one is fighting the battle to save the birds on several different fronts at once. Find the one nearest to you, and see how you can help our feathered friends thrive, whether by donating your money or your time.
Set up bird feeders
You could go and find nature on World Migratory Bird Day, or you can bring nature to you. Putting feeders outside your house will attract all kinds of local birds looking for something to nosh. You can put out as many different kinds of food as you like—even sugar water for hummingbirds! Just make sure the local squirrels and cats don’t come along to spoil the fun.
Why We Love World Migratory Bird Day
Birds are amazing animals
They're miracles of evolution. They are close relatives of dinosaurs, they are the only creatures on the planet to grow feathers, and—of course—they can fly. That last one has caused birds to be the envy of humans for nearly the entire span of their mutual existence. Who wouldn’t like to spread their own wings and take to the skies on World Migratory Bird Day?
Migration takes a huge amount of energy
Migration itself is a genetically controlled impulse. It’s a primitive trait that even emerges in birds that don’t necessarily have to migrate. The ability for birds to navigate and orient themselves during migration is an even more complex phenomenon. Not to mention, birds need to alter their metabolism in order to store enough energy to make the journey, and molt their feathers in preparation for the wear and tear of the long flight.
Migration also helps other species
The migration of birds helps control pest populations in whatever part of the world they happen to visit, and certain smaller species also aid in flower pollination, while the larger scavengers help to eliminate carrion waste. In addition, their droppings also provide rich nutrients which help plants to grow.
World Migratory Bird Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 10 | Saturday |
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