Art copyright Eleazar Saenz

International Migratory Bird Day

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates the incredible journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central, and South America. The event, which takes place on the second Saturday in May each year, encourages bird conservation and increases awareness of birds though hiking, bird watching, information about birds and migration, public events, and variety of other education programs.

North America’s boreal forest encompasses about 1.5 billion acres (5.9 million square kilometers) and stretches from Alaska to Newfoundland. The region includes one of the world’s largest intact forests dotted with lakes, rivers, and wetlands. More extensive than the Brazilian Amazon, the Boreal offers refuge to grizzly bear, caribou, wolverine, gray wolf, and a variety of other resident wildlife.

The region’s importance, however, extends far beyond Canada and Alaska to the Lower 48, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Billions of birds of over 270 species migrate long distances from these locations to the Boreal where they nest and raise young in what is known as North America’s Bird Nursery.

For additional information about International Migratory Bird Day please contact:
Migratory Birds and State Programs
(505) 248-6621