Migratory birds - Nature's long-distance adventurers

Abstract

Top bar 44 With long-haul flights these days we can travel almost anywhere. But imagine you had to cross a continent on your own steam? Many of our feathered friends – some no bigger than mice – do exactly that. The annual migration of birds within and across continents remains one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Every year, a special two-day celebration is held worldwide in honour of the estimated 50 million birds (around 19% of the world’s total bird species) that take flight every year to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. The Day is organised by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the African –Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement – two treaties that represent various countries. This year, World Migratory Bird Day was held on 11 and 12 May. The day is celebrated in over 65 countries, including South Africa. The migration of birds is a natural process, whereby different birds fly over long distances to find the best places to live and raise their young. There are many different migration patterns.

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