MANILA, Philippines — Across the globe, migratory birds are in peril. Nearly half of all bird species—including those that travel thousands of kilometers across continents—are in decline, and one in eight faces the threat of extinction, according to BirdLife International.
Habitat loss, light pollution, climate change, and urban expansion have disrupted ancient flight paths that once guided these birds safely between their breeding and feeding grounds. A 2024 study in Global Ecology and Biogeography found that four in five bird species struggle to survive in human-dominated environments.
Amid these alarming trends, countries worldwide marked World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) this year with renewed calls for action to protect both the birds and the ecosystems they depend on.
The Philippines joined the observance on Oct. 11, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB). The agency held the national celebration at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) under the global theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”
The event was highlighted by the inauguration of a new bird hide donated by Megawide Foundation PH. The viewing structure allows bird watchers, photographers, and researchers to quietly observe migratory birds visiting the park.
Haven along the flyway
Located along Roxas Boulevard, the LPPWP is a protected area and one of the country’s Ramsar sites—wetlands recognized internationally for their ecological importance. It serves as a vital stopover for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that pass through the East Asia–Australasia Flyway, a migratory route stretching from the Arctic Circle to Australia and New Zealand.
“These wetlands are lifelines,” said DENR officials, noting that they support biodiversity, fisheries, and ecotourism, and provide essential ecosystem services to nearly 200 million people across the flyway.
Shared spaces for survival
This year’s WMBD theme underscores the need to design cities that nurture both people and wildlife. The United Nations-led campaign, which began on May 10, highlights the role of urban planning in addressing threats such as bird collisions, habitat fragmentation, and pesticide use.
“Nature does not end at the city limit; we share our urban and community spaces with a hugely diverse range of wild species,” said Amy Fraenkel, executive secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. “Ensuring that our cities and communities support migratory birds is vital for their survival and also benefits people in countless ways.”
Jennifer George, chief executive of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership, said the theme “Shared Spaces” captures the delicate balance between development and conservation.
“Witnessing the loss of roosting trees in my own community reminded me how easily we can disrupt these ecosystems,” she said. “Where will these birds now find refuge?”
Philippine efforts and challenges
The Philippines has established 11 Ramsar sites and more than 240 protected areas to safeguard migratory birds and their habitats. These include the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan.
Despite these efforts, conservation advocates say enforcement remains weak.
“Hunting, trapping, and the illegal wildlife trade continue,” said conservationist Emerson Sy. “Winter visitors such as the Japanese sparrowhawk, Chinese sparrowhawk, and grey-faced buzzard are often poached and trafficked.”
Raptorwatch Network Philippines president Alex Tiongco warned that the country’s migratory raptors—13 species that visit between October and November—face similar threats.
“They eat insects, rats, and snakes, helping farmers naturally manage pests,” Tiongco said. “Yet many people still don’t understand their ecological value.”
Born to travel
“Some birds were born to travel,” said Gregg Yan, executive director of Best Alternatives. “About one-fifth of the world’s 11,000 bird species are migratory.”
Yan likened the loss of wetlands to removing rest stops on a long road trip. “Imagine flying thousands of kilometers only to find your feeding grounds turned into subdivisions,” he said. “It’s like losing a gas station mid-journey.”
Championing habitat protection
International biodiversity expert Theresa Mundita Lim, head of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, said the Philippines has long played a leading role in protecting migratory species.
In 2017, the country hosted the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species—the first held in Asia—where it introduced a resolution to conserve coastal habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal flats.
“These habitats are not just for birds,” Lim said. “They protect communities from storm surges and sustain fisheries.”
She said that the resolution led to the establishment of the World Coastal Forum, a global platform for sustainable coastal management.
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