World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign to guide conservation efforts to protect migratory birds and their journeys across borders. This global initiative generates countless educational events and unites people around the common goal of protecting migratory birds and their habitats.
World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice a year, in May and October, reflecting the cyclical nature of bird migration and the different periods of peak activity in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Creating bird-friendly cities and communities
In 2025, the theme of World Migratory Bird Day is “Creating bird-friendly cities and communities” and seeks to raise awareness of the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development.
The campaign advocates for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, ensuring that our communities become havens for these extraordinary travellers. This year’s theme encourages action from all sectors, including governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world.
All communities, both urban and rural, can play an important role in supporting migratory birds. Through good urban planning and the adoption of bird-friendly practices, such as creating healthy habitats, reducing pollution and preventing collisions with glass windows and other objects, communities can make a significant contribution to the welfare of migratory birds.
If not properly managed, urban sprawl and human-built environments pose significant threats to these birds, causing habitat loss and increasing risks such as fatal collisions with buildings and glass. Through good advance planning for sustainable urban development that avoids uncontrolled sprawl and habitat destruction, as well as collaborative efforts with neighbors, schools and local organisations, we can all protect birds and raise awareness of their importance to the health of the planet and its ecosystems.
By bringing nature back to our cities and working together, citizens and authorities alike can help conserve our natural environments and reduce the negative effects of urbanisation on biodiversity.
The importance of migratory birds
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: “As they travel the globe, migratory birds lift our spirits and remind us of nature, connecting people, ecosystems and nations. World Migratory Bird Day is an opportunity to appreciate migratory birds and the Earth’s natural cycles that are so important for human well-being”.
Ms. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, commented: “World Migratory Bird Day reminds us how important these world travellers are. Migratory birds travel unthinkable distances, journeys that truly know no borders. As they travel, these birds do so much, including acting as pollinators that naturally support our food systems and enhance food security.
As our world rapidly urbanises and natural habitats come under increasing threat, this year our focus is on creating bird friendly cities and communities so these birds can rest, refuel and breed. Shared urban spaces that provide safe spaces and passage for migratory birds benefits us all. Together, we can continue to protect migratory birds and all they do for people and planet”.
