Migratory Bird Stopover Habitat Conservation

Migratory birds depend on networks of stopover habitats to refuel during long journeys, and habitat loss at these critical sites threatens populations globally.

Key Facts

Some shorebirds travel over 10,000 km annually between breeding and wintering grounds
Migratory birds must double their body weight at refueling stops to complete journeys
Loss of a single key stopover site can jeopardize an entire migratory population
Coastal wetlands and tidal flats are critical stopover habitats facing development pressure
International agreements like the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership protect stopover networks

Welfare Considerations

Migratory bird welfare is inextricably linked to the condition of stopover habitats along migration routes. Birds that arrive at a stopover site only to find inadequate food or habitat face a welfare emergency — they must depart exhausted without adequate refueling or attempt to continue a journey with depleted energy reserves. The failure of a critical stopover can mean individual birds arriving at destinations in poor condition or perishing during migration. Protecting and restoring stopover habitats, especially in coastal and wetland environments under development pressure, delivers welfare and conservation benefits simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support conservation of coastal and wetland stopover habitats in your region
Advocate for international flyway protection agreements and funding
Participate in migratory bird monitoring programs that identify important stopover sites
Manage your property to provide food and shelter for migratory species in passage
Reduce light pollution that disorients migratory birds during night passage