Wildlife

Migratory Bird Stopover Habitat Welfare

Migratory birds depend on stopover sites to rest and refuel during long journeys. Loss of stopover habitat increases mortality and forces birds to complete migrations in compromised condition.

Key Facts

Many migratory songbirds travel over 5,000 km twice yearly using networks of stopover sites
Fueling at stopovers accounts for the difference between successful migration and mortality
Coastal wetlands and Great Lakes shorelines serve as critical convergence points for migrants in North America
Light pollution at stopover sites disorients migrants and increases collision mortality significantly

Welfare Considerations

Migratory bird welfare during migration depends on the availability of productive stopover sites with food, water, and cover. Loss of wetlands, native plantings, and dark skies at stopover points forces birds to continue depleted, increasing mortality. Protecting and restoring stopover habitat is a high-leverage intervention for both individual welfare and population-level conservation.

What You Can Do

Plant native vegetation in your garden to provide stopover food resources for migratory birds
Reduce or eliminate pesticide use to maintain insect prey availability for migratory birds
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights and close curtains during peak migration periods
Support wetland conservation and restoration in flyway corridors used by migratory birds