Statement by Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) on World Migratory Bird Day 2024

“Protect insects, protect birds” is the theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, which will be celebrated on May 11, to mark the spring migration in the Northern Hemisphere.    

This year the focus will be on insects and their importance to migratory birds. Insects provide essential nutrition for many migratory bird species, crucial for their survival. For many species, the success of their migrations depends on the presence of insects. And many migratory birds also rely on insects throughout their lifecycle, especially when feeding their young.  

Of great concern is that insect populations are declining around the world, and, many birds that depend on insects are also declining.   

Recent scientific studies point to several causes for the loss of insects, incuding  habitat destruction, pollution, including chemical polllution and light pollution, and   global warming.  

This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for global action to safeguard both insects and migratory birds and to address these threats.  You can go to the World Migratory Bird Day website at: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org, to learn more and to find out what you can do to help.  

On behalf of the Convention on Migratory Species, and with great thanks to our partners the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, Environment for the Americas, and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat, let me wish you all a 

Happy World Migratory Bird Day!