Migratory Bird Initiative

Using the best available migration science to protect birds and the places they need across their full annual life cycles.

The mission of the Migratory Bird Initiative is to secure the future of migratory birds in the Western Hemisphere by reducing direct threats and protecting key places across the Americas in coordination with science, conservation and policy partners.

The Initiative brings together the latest spatial information on species distributions and movements across their annual cycles to identify priority areas for 458 species of migratory birds that regularly occur in the United States and Canada. We will use this information to define where and how to focus Audubon’s conservation investments in order to protect, restore and manage key habitat and also mitigate threats along full migratory pathways for these species.

Audubon expects to achieve these goals by 1) consolidating and elevating the best-available migration science, filling research gaps and identifying real-time threats throughout annual cycle; 2) strengthening connections and cooperation among key stakeholders such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and the Audubon network, and 3) informing policy advocacy at the local, state and federal level to drive science-based conservation.

Migratory birds face threats during all stages of the annual cycle, and these threats are accelerating. Fortunately, scientific data, particularly during migration, are accumulating; however, we need to act swiftly and collectively to protect birds and the places they need before the opportunities to do so disappear. Partnerships will be central to the success of the Migratory Bird Initiative, and Audubon looks forward to building and strengthening relationships with other key research and conservation organizations.

If you are a researcher and would like to contribute data to Audubon's Migratory Bird Initiative, please fill out this Data Sharing Agreement. If you would like to contact us for more information, please email migratorybirds@audubon.org

Our Migratory Bird Initiative Staff

Chad Wilsey

Chad Wilsey

Vice President and Chief Scientist

Jill Deppe

Jill Deppe

Senior Director, Migratory Bird Initiative

Melanie A. Smith

Melanie A. Smith

Program Director, Bird Migration Explorer

Nat Seavy

Nat Seavy

Director of Migration Science, Migratory Bird Initiative, National Audubon Society

Erika Knight

Erika Knight

GIS and Data Science Specialist

Lotem Taylor

Lotem Taylor

GIS and Data Science Specialist

Chad Witko

Chad Witko

Senior Coordinator, Avian Biology

William DeLuca

William DeLuca

Senior Manager, Migration Ecology

Nicolas Gonzalez

Nicolas Gonzalez

Senior Communications Manager, Migration Science

Migratory Bird News

Migratory Bird Initiative

Finding Wisdom in A Century’s Worth of Bird Banding Records

By Melanie A. Smith
August 12, 2022 — The U.S. Geological Survey's Bird Banding Lab "puts a ring on it" and reveals the wonders of birds migration.
Migratory Bird Initiative

Esri Puts Audubon's Migratory Bird Initiative on the Map

By Melanie A. Smith
August 12, 2022 — By providing and advancing the technology behind increasingly accurate maps, the GIS giant plays an integral role in effective nature conservation.
Migratory Bird Initiative

Movebank, Repository for Wildlife Migration Data, Brings the Scientific Community Together

By Chad Witko and Mikko Jimenez
August 11, 2022 — As the body of migration research grows exponentially, providing access to data and connecting scientists allow for more collaboration and public engagement.
Migratory Bird Initiative

Meet Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the Scorekeepers of North America's Birds

By Nat Seavy
August 09, 2022 — Maintaining reliable bird population data makes bird conservation more effective.
Migratory Bird Initiative

Audubon Scientists Develop New Method to Improve Mapping of Bird Migrations

By National Audubon Society
June 01, 2022 — Four dozen co-authors from leading bird and wildlife organizations use novel approach to better identify the places migratory birds need along their perilous journeys.
Migratory Bird Initiative

A Virtual Wild Goose Chase Like No Other

By Melanie A. Smith
April 21, 2022 — A leader of Audubon's Migratory Bird Initiative details her incredible chance encounter with one unlucky goose's GPS tracker.
Migratory Bird Initiative

BirdLife International Takes A Global Approach to Conservation

By Nat Seavy
April 17, 2022 — This wide-ranging partnership of more than 100 conservation groups protects birds across our borders.
Migratory Bird Initiative

The Bird Genoscape Project Uses Genetic Variation to Inform Conservation

By Nat Seavy
April 14, 2022 — Researchers use feathers and blood samples to better understand how migratory birds are connected across their ranges.
Migratory Bird Initiative

Wandering Spoonbills Tell Us What We Need to Protect the Everglades

By Chad Witko
February 17, 2022 — Jerry Lorenz of Audubon Florida tracked this species to shed light on how the iconic "River of Grass" is changing, for better or worse.
Migratory Bird Initiative

EPA Restores Clean Water Act Protections for Important Wetlands along Mississippi River

By National Audubon Society
November 17, 2021 — By blocking the destructive and ineffective Yazoo Pumps project, the EPA can protect bird habitat while also supporting alternative flood control measures for the region.

Featured Migratory Birds in Audubon Field Guide