Bird conservation crucial for future of humankind

Avian migration is a natural miracle. Migratory birds fly hundreds and thousands of kilometres to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding and raising their young. When conditions at breeding sites become unfavourable, it is time to fly to regions where conditions are better.

On 10 May, we observe World Migratory Bird Day, highlighting the theme "Their Future is our Future".

It is truly amazing how migratory birds can navigate with pin-point accuracy. Exactly how migrating birds find their flyways is still not fully understood. Studies have shown that they are able to orientate themselves using the sun during the day, the stars at night, and using earth's geomagnetic field during both night and day. Some species can even detect polarized light, which many migrating birds may use to navigate at night.

However, migration is a perilous journey and involves a wide range of threats, often caused by human activities. Flying long distances involves crossing many borders between countries with differing environmental policies, legislation and conservation measures. International cooperation among governments, NGOs and other stakeholders is required along the entire flyway of a species in order for knowledge to be shared and conservation efforts coordinated.

All the activities organized for World Migratory Bird Day are united by a common theme. WMBD 2017 highlights the interdependence of people and nature, especially people and migratory animals - in particular birds, as they share the same planet and thus the same limited resources. The 2017 campaign aims at raising awareness of the need for sustainable management of our natural resources, demonstrating how bird conservation is also crucial for the future of humankind.

More: http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/about