Building a Harmonious World: Where Birds and Humans Flourish Together
World Migratory Bird Day 2025 is a significant event celebrated biannually in May and October, aiming to highlight the urgent challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and urban development. This global initiative seeks to inspire change in urban environments, making them more accommodating for both migratory birds and human populations.
Observed on May 10 and October 11, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) reflects the cyclical nature of bird migration, which varies between the northern and southern hemispheres. The campaign is organized by several key organizations, including:
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
- African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)
- Environment for the Americas (EFTA)
- East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)
This worldwide initiative ignites countless educational events, uniting individuals in a shared mission to protect migratory birds and their habitats. Each year, WMBD adopts a central theme to motivate action and focus global efforts on the preservation of these vital species. For 2025, the theme is ‘Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities’. This theme emphasizes the critical need for urban environments that support bird populations, integrating scientific insights with practical actions for communities and individuals alike.
The goal of this year’s theme is to promote collective efforts to safeguard the future of migratory birds amid alarming population declines. By implementing effective city planning and adopting bird-friendly practices, communities can substantially contribute to the wellbeing of these remarkable creatures. Key practices include:
- Creating healthy habitats
- Reducing pollution
- Preventing collisions with glass windows and other built structures
These simple yet impactful actions can help ensure that migratory birds thrive in urban environments, enhancing both ecological balance and community wellbeing.
Iran: A Critical Stopover for Migratory Birds
Iran plays a crucial role in the migratory bird landscape of West Asia, serving as a vital winter habitat for approximately two million birds each year. According to officials from the Department of Environment, the country’s extensive network of wetlands and diverse water bodies make it a key destination for migratory birds traveling from Siberia to the Nile. Notably, around 16% of these birds choose to winter in Iran, as highlighted by ISNA and echoed by environmental expert Hassan Akbari.
Iran is home to a rich diversity of migratory birds, boasting over 160 species of aquatic and waterside birds. This impressive variety underscores Iran’s importance as a stopover for migratory species. Despite challenges such as limited water resources, studies indicate that the abundance and diversity of migratory birds entering the country have not declined. Most of these birds are found in the coastal regions of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf.
According to Akbari, Iran hosts more than 5% of the world’s migratory birds across approximately 450 sites during the winter months. He further noted, “Every year, around 30 to 40 million birds are counted globally, with these statistics recorded in the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) database.”
In conclusion, World Migratory Bird Day 2025 serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats, especially in urban settings. By fostering bird-friendly cities and communities, we can contribute significantly to the conservation of these incredible species and ensure that future generations can enjoy their beauty and ecological contributions.
