Migratory Bird Welfare During Stopovers

Migratory birds face severe welfare challenges during their journeys — exhaustion, dehydration, hunting pressure and habitat loss at stopover sites are critical welfare bottlenecks.

Key Facts

Around 5 billion birds migrate between Europe and Africa annually
Illegal bird trapping kills an estimated 25 million birds per year in the Mediterranean region
Loss of coastal and wetland stopover habitat forces birds to continue migration without adequate rest
Spring migration is more welfare-critical than autumn — birds must arrive in breeding condition
Radar studies show that many migrants fly non-stop for 60+ hours over inhospitable terrain

Welfare Considerations

Migratory birds face acute starvation, dehydration and exhaustion during the most energetically demanding periods of their lives. Stopover sites where birds can rest and refuel are critical welfare infrastructure — their loss forces birds to continue depleted. Illegal trapping at Mediterranean sites kills millions of birds mid-migration, including many caught in glue traps or mist nets that cause injury before death. Protecting and restoring stopover sites is one of the highest-welfare actions in bird conservation.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns against illegal bird trapping in Cyprus, Malta, Lebanon and Egypt
Donate to BirdLife International's Mediterranean stopover habitat protection work
Create stopover habitat in your garden — dense shrubs, water and berry-bearing plants
Report suspected illegal bird trapping to the relevant national wildlife authorities when travelling