Hudsonian Godwits (on left) are some of the longest migrants in the bird world.
Credit: Len Blumin via Flickr
Each year a collection of organizations and individuals join together to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) on the second Saturday of May. It is a day of both celebration and education, as each year contains a theme that helps better educate birders and everyday citizens around the world about the importance of birds and what we can do to help protect them.
Environment for the Americas organizes the day for the Western Hemisphere, and this year’s theme is Why Birds Matter. From pollinating plants and reducing insect pests to redistributing nutrients and generating billions of dollars in revenue from birding trips and equipment, there are a wide variety of things birds do to make our everyday lives better.
Check out this great poster on why birds matter for more about all the things birds do for our planet:
This year featured IMBD-specific events and birding walks all around the United States and Canada. If you didn’t get the chance to attend one of the many events that took place, there is still more you can do! Check out the resources, training, and news page on the official IMBD website:
http://www.birdday.org/education
