World Migratory Bird Day is observed on the second Saturday in May to emphasize that the conservation of migratory birds is a shared responsibility. By collaborating across countries and along migration routes, we can help ensure that migratory birds continue to thrive and survive in the future.
Every Bird Counts
According to the website www.worldmigratorybirdday.org, the theme for World Migratory Bird Day in 2026 is: “Every Bird Counts: Your Observations Matter!”. This theme highlights the important role of community science (also known as citizen science) in the conservation of migratory birds.
The 2026 campaign highlights the people-driven efforts that are essential to bird conservation, celebrating how individuals, communities, and organizations around the world are helping to build the knowledge base needed to better conserve migratory birds across national borders.
By focusing on the contributions of people, participatory science, and public bird monitoring efforts, the campaign pays tribute to the millions of bird enthusiasts worldwide who contribute data and insights that help inform better policy decisions and are essential to bird conservation through every observation they record.
The Power of Citizen Science
Millions of people around the world contribute vital information about migratory birds, their habitats, and the challenges they face each year—from observations in their own backyards to coordinated global censuses.
Through these recorded observations, people participate in citizen science, which helps track migration patterns, population trends, and habitat changes along migration routes. This year’s campaign aims to show how every observation provides essential data and supports evidence-based conservation at the local, national, and international levels.
Connecting with nature to support conservation
When people participate in bird-counting activities that help gather this important data, they also strengthen their connection with nature, deepen their understanding of the pressures birds face, and often become advocates for nature conservation, reinforcing society’s commitment to the environment and the planet.
A global effort across all migration routes
This year’s theme is particularly meaningful, as it recognizes the numerous citizen science projects taking place along the world’s major migration routes, focusing on existing monitoring initiatives and platforms that record bird sightings to support both science and policies that aid in their protection.
World Migratory Bird Day 2026 also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the International Waterbird Census, an opportunity to celebrate this global effort to monitor and protect migratory waterbirds, as well as to promote other community and citizen science initiatives along all of the world’s migratory routes.
By encouraging people to collect observations along migration routes, we can build a clearer picture of the “story of migration routes,” emphasizing connectivity, international collaboration, and our collective responsibility.
