By Leslie Lee
Today is World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), and below are ways we can all contribute to bird conservation efforts!
WMBD, an annual campaign, raises awareness about protecting migratory birds and their habitats. It reaches people worldwide, educating them about threats, ecosystem roles, and international cooperation for their conservation.
This year, WMBD Theme is Creating Bird Friendly Cities and Communities and focuses on community-based bird protection. As cities grow, migratory birds face challenges like habitat loss, noise, light pollution, and pets. However, we can all contribute to their protection.
Here are seven simple steps to make your home or community bird-friendly:
1. Plant native plants for food and shelter- try National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder tool! Remove invasive plants.
2. Dim lights at night to disrupt birds’ sleep and migration.
3. Make windows visible to prevent collisions with glass.
4. Protect insects, as 95% of birds- and much of life on Earth- depend on them. Leave leaves be over the winter! Avoid pesticides harming moths, dragonflies, and other insects.
5. Keep pets indoors or in safe enclosures to prevent harming birds. Provide indoor playtime and enrichment.
6. Make small daily changes to reduce plastic pollution. Say no to single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives where possible. Buy toys and decor made from natural materials.
7. When it comes to food, choose sustainable options like shade-grown coffee and chocolate to protect tropical forests and their inhabitants.
By taking these steps, together we can help protect migratory birds and the environment.
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As mentioned above, this year, WMBD focuses on creating bird-friendly communities and cities to promote human-bird coexistence. The campaign raises awareness about migratory birds’ challenges due to human activities and urban development, advocating for conservation and bird-friendly environments.
You can take action by planting native flowers and gardens, transforming urban areas into bird sanctuaries, collaborating on urban planning for green spaces and bird-friendly practices, and sharing tips with your neighbors and friends! WBMD 2025 offers practical steps for communities and individuals to support migratory birds and reduce urban threats.
Key messages include:
- All communities can support migratory birds by adopting bird-friendly practices like creating healthy habitats, implementing anti-collision measures, reducing pollution, and providing ample food sources.
- Urban expansion leads to habitat loss and decline in bird nesting, feeding, food, and shelter, jeopardizing migratory bird survival.
- Non-native species disrupt ecosystems by introducing predators and resource competition.
- Fatal collisions with buildings and glass worsen by light pollution, reflections, and large frameless building designs.
- Weather conditions like fog and rain reduce birds’ visibility of urban structures, increasing the risk of collisions.
- Improving city and community safety for birds involves collaborating with neighbors, schools, and local organizations to educate communities about migrating birds, creating and restoring bird-friendly habitats.
- Sustainable city planning prevents urban sprawl and creates interconnected green and blue spaces for birds. It’s important to enhance existing cities and prioritize proactive sustainable urban development.
- Global cooperation is essential, as birds migrate across borders. We need to create safe stopover spots along their routes.
- Reintroducing native plants and adapting development to support natural environments are crucial to reduce biodiversity and migratory bird harm to our ecosystem.
- Everyone has a role to play, from reducing pesticides at home to working with policymakers and city planners.
photo: Brad Anderson