Observed annually on the second weekend of May, World Migratory Bird Day is a day that highlights the importance of protecting migratory birds and their natural habitats.

It’s also a day on which people can learn about the amazing variety of birds that exist in the world. It’s a great day for everyone to get out, do a little bit of bird watching, and learn more about how migratory birds are an important part of our world.

The History Of World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day was established in 2006 by the United Nations. They created the holiday to cover the second weekend of May annually. The first event was founded as an effort of the United Nation’s Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds in order to raise awareness of the linkages between migratory birds around the world. Ever since then, the holiday has been observed by almost 120 member nations. Every year, the United Nations announces a theme around which events are centered for the event.

Amazing Facts About Migratory Birds

Bird migration is something that can be awe-inspiring to anyone observing it. That’s why we decided to do a little bit more research on the subject and find out everything we could find about birds and why they migrate. The result is the following facts that we’ve decided to share with everyone reading about this holiday.

Approximately 40% Of The World’s Birds Are Migratory

Although not all of the world’s bird populations migrate from one area to another, a large number of them are regular migrants. At least 4,000 birds migrate and that’s approximately 40% of the total number of birds in the world.

Birds Can Achieve Amazing Heights

Some birds can reach incredible heights while they’re migrating. For example, Bar-headed geese can reach altitudes of up to 5.5 miles above sea level. That makes them high-flyers, but it doesn’t make them the birds with the highest-flying birds of them all. The highest-flying bird ever is Ruppell’s griffon vulture. This bird can travel to a height of 7-miles above sea level.

The Arctic Tern Wins The Long-Distance Award

Of all of the migratory birds in the world, the Arctic Tern is the one that tends to travel the farthest. The average Arctic Tern can travel a distance of almost 50,000 miles in a single year.

They do this while making a round trip between their arctic breeding grounds and the Antarctic where they spend every winter. And since these birds can live more than 30-years, all of this flying can total up to an amazing equivalent to three trips to the moon and back.

Observing World Migratory Bird Day

On this holiday, people can take the time to go on a nature walk and do a little bit of bird watching, can get involved with the Audubon Society to support birds all over the world, or they can do something as simple as learning more about birds and their impact on the world. While you’re observing World Migratory Bird Day, don’t forget to set up bird feeders for the birds around your home and use the hashtag #WorldMigratoryBirdDay on your social media accounts.