World Migratory Bird Day -- 8 May 2021
World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated to highlight the need for international collaboration to ensure the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats globally.
The 2021 World Migratory Bird Day theme is “Sing, Fly, Soar – Like a Bird!” This theme is an invitation to people everywhere to connect and re-connect with nature by watching and listening to birds. It can also be an invitation to ensure the conservation and restoration of ecosystems that not only support the natural cycles essential for the survival and well-being of migratory birds, but also the survival and well-being of humans.
Birds play an essential role in the functioning of the world's ecosystems, in a way that directly impacts humans. They control pests, pollinate plants, spread seeds, transform landscapes, and contribute to processes including nutrient cycling and soil formation.
World Migratory Bird Day 2021 is not only a celebration of birds, it is also an important moment to reflect on our own global relationship with nature and to highlight our collective desire to do more to protect birds and nature in a post-pandemic world.
Both birds and humans have a vested interest in the well-being of our one and only Earth. Much like the COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the need for global cooperation and collaboration, it is important that we all unite in a common, global effort to protect birds and the habitats they need to survive. After all, by protecting them, we protect ourselves.
More Information:
Sustainable Wildlife Management
World Migratory World Day (website)
How can you get involved?
Events marking World Migratory Bird Day 2021 will generally be ‘migrating’ online, as many countries are still heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many virtual talks and a wave of online interactions dedicated to migratory birds are expected to take place in many countries, with educational programmes being offered virtually by many organizations including schools, museums, parks, zoos, libraries, wildlife refuges and wetland centers.
Click here to see the global event map and find an event that you would like to participate in.
In order for this to become a truly global “wave of human creativity and expression” for birds and nature, people should record and share their bird inspired songs (or other forms of creative expression!) on social media using the following hashtags:
- #ForNature,
- #SingFlySoar, and
- #LikeABird.
The theme this year is unique in that it directly appeals to people of all ages to express themselves, to use their own human voice and creativity to show their appreciation and support for birds and international bird conservation. We encourage all participants to use World Migratory Bird Day as an opportunity to express their support for bird conservation and to highlight what they are doing in support of migrator birds.
Linking human song with the song of birds opens a huge spectrum of creative possibilities which can be universally applied across borders in many countries around the world. Ideas range from tapping into existing popular songs dedicated to birds from all corners of the world, to activating people in different countries to “speak up” and to actually sing for birds, i.e. to “sing like a bird - for migratory birds” in their own language.
Help promote the campaign. Please help spread the word about World Migratory Bird Day by announcing it on your own website, newsletters and via your social media channels. Please use the resources on our website and in our social media pack (trello board) for this purpose.