Western Hemisphere Migratory Flyways Birds' regular exposure to vast geographic ranges makes them uniquely qualified as barometers of our planet's biodiversity and environmental health. Birds' visibility, accessibility and appeal help link people, cultures and places together throughout the hemisphere. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge map for details.

Migratory birds know nothing of the national, political boundaries of the countries within the Americas. They move in accordance with rhythms encoded in their genes, sometimes traveling mind-boggling distances looking for the forest, grassland, shoreline or other natural landscape that is their home for a portion of the year. If we hope to continue to share our North American communities with familiar avian visitors we must ensure that birds find food, safety and shelter in all of their seasonal homes, and the places in between.

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