Celebrating the Annual Journey of the World's Migratory Birds
Every year, billions of birds undertake one of nature's most spectacular journeys — crossing continents, oceans, and mountain ranges to follow food, warmth, and the seasons. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global campaign that celebrates this incredible phenomenon and raises awareness about the threats migratory birds face along the way.
When Is World Migratory Bird Day?
World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year — on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October — to mark the peak migration seasons in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This dual celebration reflects the fact that migration is a year-round, global event. At the same time, we recognize that birds don't travel on the same day, and we encourage you to host a program or event at a time that works for you and the birds. Today, World Migratory Bird Day events are hosted almost every month of the year.
Why Does It Matter?
Migratory birds are ecological linchpins. They pollinate plants, disperse seeds, control insect populations, and serve as indicators of environmental health. Yet they face growing threats:
- Habitat loss along migratory flyways, from breeding grounds to wintering areas
- Climate change shifting the timing of seasons and food availability
- Glass and building collisions, one of the leading causes of bird mortality in North America
- Light pollution that disorients nocturnal migrants navigating by the stars
- Pesticide use reducing insect prey populations that fuel long-distance flights
Understanding these pressures is the first step toward protecting the birds that connect our ecosystems across borders and hemispheres.
How Did World Migratory Bird Day Start?
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was launched in 1993 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center as an initiative of Partner's in Flight. In 2000, Environment for the Americas began coordinating the program across the Americas, and in 2018, the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) joined. With global partnerships supporting WMBD, the campaign grew.
Discover some of our most popular World Migratory Bird Day gifts and bird conservation merchandise! From the 2026 World Migratory Bird Day T-shirt and beautiful Charley Harper-inspired bird T-shirt to Bird Buddy bracelets and the official 2026 World Migratory Bird Day poster, these best sellers are perfect for bird lovers, educators, conservationists, and anyone who wants to celebrate migratory birds.
Every purchase helps support bird conservation, environmental education, and programs that connect people to birds and nature. All proceeds support our work around the world by helping to fund the design, development, publication, and distribution of education materials around the world. Find your favorite World Migratory Bird Day gear and share your love of birds wherever you go.
Wear it. Share it. Support bird conservation
How Can You Participate?
You don't have to be an ornithologist to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Attend or host a local bird walk — connect with your community around a shared morning in nature
- Community science — join a conservation-focused science program where your observations can contribute to our protection of birds
- Educate young birders — share books, activities, and classroom resources that spark curiosity about birds
- Make your home bird-friendly — put window film on windows, turn off unnecessary lights at night during migration, and plant native plants
Educational Resources for World Migratory Bird Day
Looking for tools to bring World Migratory Bird Day to your classroom, nature center, or community event? Environment for the Americas offers a range of World Migratory Bird Day Educational Materials, from posters and activity guides to bilingual resources designed to engage diverse audiences. We also have a wonderful selection of books for kids that inspire the next generation of bird conservationists.
Every bird that completes its migration is a small miracle — and every person who learns to appreciate that journey becomes part of the solution. Join us in celebrating World Migratory Bird Day.