Wildlife

Migratory Bird Welfare: Threats Along the Flyway

Migratory birds face accumulating threats at multiple points along their flyways, with welfare impacts at each stage of often thousands of kilometers.

Key Facts

Approximately 5 billion songbirds migrate between Europe and Africa annually
Illegal trapping in Mediterranean countries kills an estimated 25 million birds per year
Lights from buildings and communication towers disorient and kill millions during migration
Climate change is creating phenological mismatches between migration timing and food availability

Welfare Considerations

Illegal trapping using glue-sticks and mist nets causes extreme stress and often injury before killing. Light pollution causes disorientation leading birds to circle buildings until exhausted or injured. Migrants that arrive at stopover sites to find habitat destroyed face starvation during a period when energy reserves are critical.

What You Can Do

Turn off unnecessary building lights during spring and autumn migration periods
Support organizations combating illegal bird trapping in Mediterranean countries
Plant native trees and shrubs that provide food for migrants at stopover sites
Advocate for stronger enforcement of migratory bird protections under international agreements