Bird Day or World Migratory Bird Day is the name of several holidays celebrating birds. Various countries observe such a holiday on various dates.
In 2006, the United Nations established World Migratory Bird Day to be held on the second weekend of May every year. The event was founded as an effort of the UN's Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds to raise awareness of the migratory linkages between regions of the globe. World Migratory Bird Day events have been held in 118 nations. Each year, the United Nations announces a uniting theme for official events. It was formerly known as International Migratory Bird Day. This program is dedicated to international conservation efforts and environmental education in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Originated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, it is now coordinated by Environment for the Americas.
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) officially takes place on May 19th in the U.S. and Canada and on the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean each year. Recognizing that this date does not work well for all places or for the migratory birds themselves, sites host these programs at their convenience throughout the year.
This program engages the general public to care about maintaining healthy bird populations and protecting breeding, non-breeding, and stop over habitats used by migratory birds. International Migratory Bird Day programs often are informal science education or informal science learning activities such as bird walks, art competitions, nature based festivals, and presentations. These programs take place in a variety of settings such as zoos, aquariums, protected lands, biospheres, museums, and schools.
Every year International Migratory Bird Day has a new conservation theme with corresponding artwork, educational materials, and activities.
2000: Focus on the Falcon, Artist Roger Tory Peterson
2001: Taste of the Tropics, Artist Terry Issac
2002: Exploring Habitats, Artist Charley Harper
2003: Catalysts for Conservation, Artist Gerald Sneed
2004: Conserving Colonial Birds, Artist Ram Papish
2005: Collisions, Artist David Sibley
2006: The Boreal Forest, Artist Radeaux
2007: Birds in a Changing Climate, Artist Louise Zemaitis
2008: Tundra to Tropics, Artist Eleazar Saenz
2009: Celebrate Birds In Culture, Artist Andy Everson
2010: Power of Partnerships, Artist Bob Petty
2011: Go Wild Go Birding, Artist John Muir Laws
2012: Connecting People to Bird Conservation, Artist Rafael Lopez