World Migratory Bird Day 2019 Date and Theme: Significance of the Day That Aims to Save Birds And Their Habitat

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) that tries to bring people's attention to the negative effects on seabirds caused by plastic pollution will be observed on May 11. On World Migratory Bird 2019, more than 300 registered events including bird festivals, education programmes, media events, bird watching trips, presentations, film screenings will be held in over 60 countries. World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in May in Canada and the US (May 11 in 2019), and the second Saturday in October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (October 12 in 2019). The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2019 is 'Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!' Balloons Are Killing Seabirds! Plastic Pollution Waste Pose Biggest Threat As Birds Eat Them Mistaking For Food, Says New Study.

The theme aims to show how plastic pollution affects the ecosystem resulting in serious problems to migratory species around the world. The day tries to highlight the number of seabirds dying due to the effects of plastic every year. Between 1960 and 1980, the number of birds that ingested plastic has grown from 5% to 8%. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 in an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the requirement for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Plastic Pollution: Stork With Plastic Ring Around Beak Rescued by Officials, Under Observation.

Migration refers to the movement of birds from the Northern side towards the South during the change of seasons. Their flight depends on the weather, wind, habitat and availability of food. Birds move to regions with warmer climates during a specific time of the year. While for some birds, migration may extend to some months, for others it may be beyond continents and oceans. Skyscrapers Kill Up to 1 Billion Birds Annually in United States.

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Talking about World Migratory Bird Day, Joyce Msuya, Acting Executive Director of UN Environment said, "One-third of global plastic production is non-recyclable and at least eight million tonnes of plastic flows unabated into our oceans and water bodies each year. It is ending up in the stomachs of birds, fish, whales, and in our soil and water. The world is choking on plastic and so too are our birds on which so much life on earth depends."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2019 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).