Migratory Bird Initiative
Finding Wisdom in A Century’s Worth of Bird Banding Records
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
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
Migratory Bird News
Migratory Bird Initiative
Esri Puts Audubon's Migratory Bird Initiative on the Map
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
American White Pelican
Latin:
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Bald Eagle
Latin:
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Blackpoll Warbler
Latin:
Setophaga striata
Black Skimmer
Latin:
Rynchops niger
Broad-winged Hawk
Latin:
Buteo platypterus
Eared Grebe
Latin:
Podiceps nigricollis
Golden Eagle
Latin:
Aquila chrysaetos
Long-billed Curlew
Latin:
Numenius americanus
Painted Bunting
Latin:
Passerina ciris
Rufous Hummingbird
Latin:
Selasphorus rufus
Whimbrel
Latin:
Numenius phaeopus
Wood Thrush
Latin:
Hylocichla mustelina
