World Migratory Bird Day2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
UNEP / CMS / AEWA partner campaign
About World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day is a global awareness campaign focused on migratory birds, the habitats and flyways they depend on, and international cooperation for their conservation.
The campaign began in 2006 through the AEWA Secretariat in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat. Since 2018, it has operated as a unified global campaign with major celebration days in May and October.
Why World Migratory Bird Day matters
Migratory birds cross political borders and often depend on connected habitats across many countries, making the observance naturally international in scope.
Responsible participation emphasizes habitat conservation, safe birdwatching, science-based information and actions that do not disturb birds, nests or migration sites.
History of World Migratory Bird Day
AEWA states that World Migratory Bird Day was initiated in 2006 by the AEWA Secretariat in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat. The first World Migratory Bird Day took place on 8–9 April 2006.
In October 2017, Environment for the Americas, CMS and AEWA announced a partnership uniting International Migratory Bird Day with World Migratory Bird Day. From 2018, the unified campaign used the World Migratory Bird Day name and two annual peak celebration days in May and October.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD)
The Americas-focused International Migratory Bird Day was unified with the existing World Migratory Bird Day campaign from 2018 under the World Migratory Bird Day name.
AEWA Secretariat, in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat
AEWA states that World Migratory Bird Day was initiated in 2006 by its Secretariat in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat.
AEWA and CMS Secretariats
Official AEWA history identifies the two treaty secretariats as the organizations that initiated and launched the 2006 campaign.
First documented observance
AEWA records that the first World Migratory Bird Day took place on 8–9 April 2006.
United International Migratory Bird Day and World Migratory Bird Day into one global campaign using the World Migratory Bird Day name.
Environment for the Americas (EFTA), CMS and AEWA
Established two annual peak celebration days, on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October, to support global participation across migration seasons.
Environment for the Americas (EFTA), CMS and AEWA
CMS, AEWA, Environment for the Americas, and the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership
Current CMS/AEWA campaign material identifies these partners in coordination of the global World Migratory Bird Day campaign.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe World Migratory Bird Day
Join a birdwatching event that follows local wildlife and access rules and avoids disturbing nesting or resting birds.
Learn which migratory flyways and habitats are important in your region using conservation-agency or treaty sources.
Reduce hazards where practical, such as unnecessary night lighting during migration or unsafe window conditions, using evidence-based local guidance.
Support habitat restoration or citizen-science projects run by reputable conservation organizations.
Avoid handling wild birds or approaching nests unless you are appropriately trained and authorized.
World Migratory Bird Day Facts
World Migratory Bird Day was initiated in 2006 by AEWA in collaboration with CMS.
The first campaign took place on 8–9 April 2006.
A 2017 partnership unified World Migratory Bird Day and International Migratory Bird Day from 2018.
The global campaign is now marked on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October.
World Migratory Bird Day Messages
May World Migratory Bird Day inspire curiosity about the living world and thoughtful action to protect it.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by learning from credible conservation sources and choosing one practical way to reduce harm or support protection.
Wishing everyone marking World Migratory Bird Day a day of discovery, respect for nature and care that continues beyond today.
On World Migratory Bird Day, may appreciation for the natural world lead to informed stewardship and practical care for the places and species around us.
World Migratory Bird Day Quotes
“Migratory birds connect people, ecosystems and nations. They are symbols of peace and of an interconnected planet.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
AEWA — World Migratory Bird Day history (opens in a new tab)
Convention on Migratory Species — Campaign history (opens in a new tab)
UN Environment — World Migratory Bird Day (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
AEWA — World Migratory Bird Day 2006 (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Migratory Bird Day?
Second Saturday of May and second Saturday of October The documented recurrence rule is: Second Saturday of May and second Saturday of October.
Does World Migratory Bird Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is World Migratory Bird Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: UNEP-supported global conservation campaign. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Migratory Bird Day?
The reviewed sources identify AEWA and CMS Secretariats as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as AEWA Secretariat, in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as CMS, AEWA, Environment for the Americas, and the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership.
Is World Migratory Bird Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: UNEP-supported global conservation campaign. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is World Migratory Bird Day?
The global campaign is marked twice a year, on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October.
When did World Migratory Bird Day begin?
AEWA records that the first World Migratory Bird Day took place on 8–9 April 2006.
Why are there two celebration days now?
From 2018, the unified global campaign adopted May and October celebration days so activities can align with peak migration periods in different parts of the world.
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