How to Participate in International Migratory Bird Day

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How to Participate in International Migratory Bird Day

International Migratory Bird Day is taking place May 13, 2023, in Canada and the US, and October 14, 2023, in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). This year’s theme is water and its importance to birds (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). Not only is water essential for them, but for us as well! With increasing carbon emissions and climate change, our water systems are being threatened. Read on to find out more about birds, water, and how to participate in International Migratory Bird Day!

Migratory Birds

Migratory birds fly long distances to find the best conditions for feeding, reproducing, and raising their young (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). Of the 759 species of birds that breed in Canada and the US, 549 are migratory (Seavy & Stockdale, 2023). Of those 549, 167 are waterbirds, meaning they rely the most heavily on water sources (Seavy & Stockdale, 2023). Typically, migration occurs once the temperature in their current habitat deviates from their ideal, so it’s common for birds to move from northern breeding areas in the summer to southern wintering grounds, or vice versa (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). Sometimes, they may migrate vertically as well, moving higher up a mountain in the summer and staying lower during the winter (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). 

Given that the journey is usually quite long, many birds won’t fly to their destination in one go (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). Although it’s not entirely known how migratory birds can stay on path even while stopping multiple times along the way, it is hypothesized that they orient themselves along Earth’s magnetic field using light receptors in their eyes (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). 

Human activity is the number one threat that migratory birds face (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). In particular, loss of land due to pollution, urbanization, or agriculture (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). This makes it more difficult for birds to find suitable nests and places they can use for stopovers as they go about their journey (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). Migratory birds must also be wary of high-voltage power lines and wind turbines, which can be deadly roadblocks while flying (World Migratory Bird Day, 2010). 

Night Migration

Migratory birds have their own natural predators to worry about in addition to being wary of human made obstacles (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). This is why many species have evolved to migrate at night, when it is more difficult for predators to catch them (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). Many predators such as hawks and falcons are daytime predators, so by flying at night while they are inactive, migratory birds can increase their chances of survival (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). The cooler night air can also help them maintain a lower internal temperature and exert less energy while traveling (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). Some birds may even use the stars to guide them on their journeys (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023)! 

Water

35% of the world’s wetlands, which are critical water reserves for migratory birds, have been lost in the last 50 years (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). We need to be mindful of our water consumption as it is not a resource that only humans use. Due to climate change, the water cycle is no longer what it used to be, with long-term droughts, heat waves and flooding becoming more and more habitual (Seavy & Stockdale, 2023). While some riverbeds are flooding, others may be drying which both cause a loss of feeding grounds for birds (Seavy & Stockdale, 2023). If we do not take action now, over 67% of bird species may go extinct in the near future (Seavy & Stockdale, 2023).

How to participate in International Migratory Bird Day!

1. Turn off the taps! Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or not using it (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). Take shorter showers and try to conserve water as much as possible when you don’t need to use it (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). These small amounts will add up!
2. Start a garden! Planting some shrubs, flowers and other vegetation can help the quality of soil and provide a place for birds to layover (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). 
3. Keep the water clean! Do not dispose of waste into water systems and avoid any chemicals that may pollute them (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). This includes using less fertilizers (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023). 
4. Volunteer! Lending a hand in clean-up activities can help keep waste away from water systems (World Migratory Bird Day, 2023).  

References

Seavy N., & Stockdale, K. (2023, Jan). Ripple Effect: Migratory Birds and Long-term Drought in the West. Audubon. Retrieved May 10, 2023 from: https://media.audubon.org/file-attachments/article/awrajanfeb2023impactaudubon.pdf?_gl=1*1fzqmb1*_ga*MTIwMzk2NzAwMS4xNjgzNjQ1NDU4*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*MTY4MzY0NTQ1Ny4xLjAuMTY4MzY0NTQ1Ny42MC4wLjA.  

World Migratory Bird Day. (2010). What are Migratory Birds? World Migratory Bird Day. Retrieved May 10, 2023 from: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2010/index23c2.html

World Migratory Bird Day. (2023). World Migratory Bird Day 2023. World Migratory Bird Day. Retrieved May 10, 2023 from: https://www.migratorybirdday.org 

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