Migratory Bird Conservation: Protecting Animals Across International Borders

Migratory birds face threats across their entire flyways — from breeding grounds to wintering sites. International cooperation and multi-site conservation are essential for their welfare and survival.

Key Facts

Approximately 4 billion birds migrate across North America each year
North American bird populations have declined by 3 billion since 1970
Light pollution causes fatal building strikes killing up to 1 billion birds annually in North America
Hunters take 15-20 million migratory waterfowl annually in the US alone
The East Asian-Australasian Flyway has lost 70% of shorebird habitat in 30 years

Welfare Considerations

Migratory birds face welfare threats at every stage of their annual journeys: collisions with buildings and communications towers during migration; habitat loss at stopover sites where they must refuel; hunting across flyways; and climate-driven phenological mismatch affecting breeding success. The welfare impact of population declines operates at two levels: direct mortality through collision and hunting, and the suffering of survivors navigating increasingly degraded routes. International flyway conservation that protects critical staging, wintering, and breeding sites simultaneously offers the best return on conservation investment.

What You Can Do

Make your home bird-safe by using window collision deterrent films or patterns
Turn off unnecessary lights at night during spring and fall migration peaks
Support international flyway conservation organizations like the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Advocate for stronger migratory bird protections in international trade and treaty frameworks
Plant native species to improve stopover habitat quality in your garden