Published: 12:32 AM, 12 October 2026
Migratory Birds Are Losing Their Way in the Sky
Shafiqul Islam Khokon
With the arrival of winter, flocks of familiar yet distant visitors appear in the skies of Bengal. Various species of migratory birds descend in search of food in the waters of the haors, the tranquil wetlands, the river islands and sandbars, and the muddy coastal shores. The wings of these birds, which travel thousands of kilometers, carry the story of one of nature’s most extraordinary journeys. Yet the future of that story is becoming increasingly uncertain. Climate change, food shortages, the destruction of wetlands, deforestation, pollution, and illegal hunting are collectively threatening migratory birds across the world. Gradually, these birds are becoming entries in the pages of history.
World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice a year, in May and October. The purpose of this day is not merely to celebrate the beauty of birds but also to protect the habitats essential for their survival, raise public awareness, and strengthen coordinated conservation efforts across countries. In 2026, the second global observance of the day will take place on October 10. This year’s theme is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” The theme highlights how observations made by ordinary people about bird populations, habitats, and changes in movement patterns can play an important role in scientific research and conservation planning.
Global Statistics Send a Warning
The crisis facing migratory birds is no longer an isolated problem affecting individual countries; it has become a significant part of the global biodiversity crisis. According to BirdLife International’s State of the World’s Birds report, published on September 11, 2026, the populations of approximately 45 percent of the world’s migratory bird species are declining. The report indicates that one in every nine migratory bird species is threatened with extinction. Birds that depend on marine habitats, forests, and coastal wetlands are particularly vulnerable.
In its State of the World’s Migratory Species report, published in 2024, the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) reported that the populations of 44 percent of migratory animal species covered by the convention were declining, while 22 percent were threatened with extinction. An updated assessment in 2026 indicates a further deterioration in the situation. According to the updated figures, the populations of 49 percent of migratory species covered by the convention are declining, while 24 percent are threatened with extinction. However, these figures do not refer exclusively to birds; they reflect the overall situation of various groups of migratory animals, including birds.
These statistics reveal a harsh reality: the existence of migratory animals, which play an important role in maintaining the natural balance, is increasingly under threat. Human activities are a major factor behind this crisis.
Climate Change Is Altering the Life Cycles of Migratory Birds
The lives of migratory birds are closely connected to seasonal cycles, temperature, rainfall, food availability, and suitable habitats. Many species change their distribution and movement patterns depending on the severity of winter, the condition of water bodies, and the abundance of food. However, climate change is disrupting these natural rhythms.
Global warming is altering the duration of winter, rainfall patterns, and water levels in wetlands across many regions. Some areas are experiencing prolonged droughts, while others face excessive rainfall and flooding. In other places, rising sea levels are threatening coastal habitats. As a result, the places where migratory birds rest, search for food, and build up energy for long journeys may become unsuitable for their survival.
According to analyses by BirdLife International, changes in temperature and seasonal patterns caused by climate change can create a mismatch between migration schedules and food availability. If birds arrive in an area at a time when sufficient food is unavailable, their ability to accumulate the energy needed for survival may be compromised. If such conditions occur repeatedly along their migration routes, their chances of successful breeding and survival may also decline.
This reality is particularly significant for a country like Bangladesh, which is highly vulnerable to climate change. The country's haors, wetlands, rivers, river islands, and coastal marshes provide important resting, feeding, and sheltering grounds for migratory birds. Changes in the natural characteristics of these areas can affect not only local bird populations but also visiting birds that travel thousands of kilometers to reach Bangladesh.
When Habitats Disappear, the Sky Becomes Smaller for Birds
The lives of migratory birds are about much more than flying from one place to another. Their survival depends on an extensive geographical network of habitats. During their journeys from breeding grounds to wintering areas, they must stop at several locations. These places are known as stopover sites. Here, birds find food, rest, and accumulate energy for the next stage of their long journey.
Birds that have travelled long distances need to replenish their energy reserves. Hunting, excessive human disturbance, and a lack of safe shelter during this period can make their situation even more dangerous.
According to BirdLife International, hunting and trapping are among the significant threats facing migratory bird species at risk worldwide. However, the causes of declining bird populations vary by region and species. In some places, habitat destruction is the main factor; in others, intensive agriculture or climate change plays a more significant role.
Therefore, stopping hunting alone is not enough to conserve migratory birds. Protecting their habitats, controlling pollution, maintaining food chains, and reducing excessive human interference are equally important.
Food Shortages and Pollution: The Invisible Threats
Many migratory bird species depend on aquatic insects, small fish, snails, invertebrates living in mud, and aquatic plants for food. When wetlands become polluted, pesticides are used excessively, or natural food resources are damaged, the availability of food for these birds declines.
Industrial waste, plastic, agricultural chemicals, and untreated sewage can damage aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, excessive fishing in wetlands, disruptions to natural water flows, and unplanned development reduce opportunities for birds to find food.
Conservation Requires Science, Public Participation, and International Cooperation
Migratory birds are not confined within the borders of any single country. A bird may breed in one country, spend the winter in another, and pass through several more countries along its migration route. Therefore, even if one country protects its bird habitats, the destruction of important habitats elsewhere can still threaten the survival of these birds.
If winter arrives one day and flocks of visiting birds are no longer seen in the skies of Bengal, it will not simply mean the absence of birds. It will also be a warning sign of a deeply troubled natural environment. Before that day arrives, we must make a choice: will we ensure safe skies for birds, or will we allow them to disappear through our own negligence?
Migratory birds must not become merely pictures in books or memories preserved in history. Through their wings, let the natural rhythms of the environment, the vitality of wetlands, and the beauty of the world's biodiversity return and flourish.
Shafiqul Islam Khokon is a
researcher and a columnist.
