Explore Global Flyways this World Migratory Bird Day
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day along your nearest migratory superhighway!
Billions of migratory birds use intercontinental routes to take them to and from their breeding grounds. Known as flyways, they’re like superhighways in the sky!
Header Image: © MstudioG
East Asian-Australasian Flyway
The East Asian-Australasian flyway supports billions of birds from over 500 species and covers 41 countries from Arctic Russia to southern Australia.
One species along this flyway is the Peregrine Falcon – the fastest animal on the planet, reaching speeds of over 300 km/h! Spotted as breeding birds in several major cities, some migrate through as part of their massive journey from Siberia.
If you’re based along this flyway, keep your eyes peeled for this aerodynamic marvel and listen out for their loud, shrill, repeated ‘hek-ek-ek’ alarm call and ‘chi-chi-chi’ contact call between mates.
Central Asian Flyway
Despite being the shortest flyway, it hosts more than 300 migratory bird species and spans over 30 countries, from frosty Siberia to the tropical Maldives. A common migrant along the Central Asian flyway is the Greylag Goose.
This species is considered the ancestor of domestic geese and is highly sociable, congregating in flocks of up to 25,000 individuals. Their grey plumage has darker grey to brown streaks on their back and wings, and a white belly noticeable during flight. They have a pale pink to orange bill and a lighter-coloured nail at the tip.
Listen for their distinctive, loud, three-syllable ‘aahng-ung-ung’ cackling and honking. While nesting, they also see off any unwanted visitors with a short, sharp ‘hiss’ warning sound. Keep your eyes open for this wanderer of the wetlands!
Get involved with World Migratory Bird Day
Don’t miss this opportunity to unite with birders and nature lovers worldwide while contributing to conservation science and raising vital funds. Whether you watch birds from your backyard, your local reserve or your office window – every bird counts.
Share your sightings:
Download the eBird app to record what you see as a part of Global Big Day – last year, more than 58,000 birders recorded an astonishing 7,600+ species.
Identify birds using Merlin Bird ID.
Tag our BirdLife International social accounts.
Raise funds for conservation:
Take part in BirdLife’s fundraising challenge, the Race to Save Birds.
African-Eurasian Flyway
The African-Eurasian flyway links cultures, landscapes and people in over 130 countries across Africa, Europe and Asia.
With its graceful flight and noble presence, the White Stork features prominently in Indigenous and local narratives, often known as a ‘bringer of life’. However, it’s now breeding again in the British Isles – after more than 600 years!
They have snow-white plumage, black flight feathers, and their pinkish-red legs help them stand over three feet tall. Unlike songbirds, they do not have vocal cords, but communicate by clapping their pointed, red beak together. Listen out for the joyful bill-clattering of a courting pair. This iconic stork also flocks in the thousands!
Americas Flyway
The Americas flyway is the most species-rich of all terrestrial flyways. It hosts over 600 migratory bird species across more than 56 different countries from Tierra del Fuego in Southern Argentina up to the Arctic Circle.
More than 70 species in this flyway are globally threatened or Near Threatened, including Red Knot. Even though they only have a 50cm wingspan, these plump, leggy waders complete one of the longest migrations of any bird – up to 15,000km in one direction!
Listen out for a ‘knutt’ call when flocking, or a quick ‘whit-whit’ when alarmed. Males in conflict produce a ‘yeh-yeh-yeh’ yodel, and when courting a female, a high-pitched ‘weeee’.
