Migratory birds depend on a variety of water-based habitats, such as inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds. These habitats serve as important areas for feeding, drinking, nesting, and resting during their long journeys. Unfortunately, development, pollution, and climate change often threaten these vital habitats. It is essential to conserve these areas, now more than ever.
In the United States alone, wetland loss has reached 50% in some areas, leading to a decline in waterfowl populations. An estimated 2.9 billion birds have been lost in North America since 1970 due to habitat destruction and other factors. According to the State of Birds 2022, more than half of U.S. bird species are declining. These statistics highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these amazing creatures’ habitats and migration routes.
National wildlife refuges play a crucial role in conserving these vital habitats for migratory birds. The National Wildlife Refuge System includes over 560 individual refuges and thousands of wetlands, providing critical stopover points and nesting areas for birds on their journeys across the Americas.
At many national wildlife refuges, water is the key to the survival of migratory birds. Wetlands are significant, as they provide breeding and nesting habitat for many species and crucial feeding areas during migration. These wetlands are often interconnected, forming a network of habitats that birds can use as they move across the landscape.
In addition to wetlands, many national wildlife refuges also have rivers, streams, and other waterways that provide important habitats for migratory birds. These habitats can be critical during migration when birds must refuel before continuing their journey.
