Wildlife

Wild Migratory Bird Threats Along Flyways

Migratory birds face cumulative threats across thousands of kilometres of annual journeys.

Key Facts

5 billion birds migrate between Europe and Africa each year
Trapping and hunting in Mediterranean countries kills millions annually
Light pollution disrupts navigation and causes exhaustion
Habitat loss at key stopover sites can collapse entire migratory routes

Welfare Considerations

Migratory birds trapped in nets and glue-lime sticks experience acute fear and physical injury as they struggle to escape. Exhausted migrants landing after crossing the Mediterranean in poor weather, only to find degraded stopover habitat, face starvation. The cumulative stress of increasingly challenging migrations is reducing survival rates for many species.

What You Can Do

Support BirdLife International's campaigns against illegal bird trapping
Reduce light pollution in your home during migration seasons
Advocate for habitat restoration at key migration stopover sites
Donate to conservation of Mediterranean migration bottleneck areas