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What it Means to be Migratory Birds of all shapes and sizes migrate, flying between the habitats they use for nesting and raising young in the summer and habitats with rich and abundant food in the winter. When the snow and ice thaw in the spring and foods like fish, insects, fruits and seeds become available, birds fly north again to take advantage of the abundant foods and raise their young. In Wisconsin, birds flock to their preferred habitat during nesting season in the summer, and a variety of habitats during migration season in the spring and autumn. By providing the basics of food, water and shelter and making your home safer for birds, you can help birds thrive throughout the year. H E R B E R T L A N G E R Y A N B R A D Y H E R B E R T L A N G E In 1916, the United States and Canada signed the Migratory Bird Treaty, making history for bird conservation. Since the signing of the treaty, birders, hunters and nature enthusiasts of all feathers have joined forces to protect millions of acres of important bird habitat, monitor bird populations and raise awareness of the importance of birds and bird conservation. Now, 100 years later, the nation is celebrating the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial, the remarkable diversity of North American birds, milestones we have accomplished in protecting them and the ways we can continue to positively impact birds across their ranges for years to come. We couldn’t do it without YOU! Citizens just like you sparked the first bird conservation initiatives over 100 years ago, and people all over the country continue to value the songs, color, grace and natural benefits that birds provide. It’s easy to celebrate bird conservation and the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial at events around Wisconsin or simply in your own backyard. Experience hands-on bird conservation by volunteering to monitor birds (dnr.wi.gov, keyword “volunteer”) or restore habitat (keyword “habitat”). Improve your birding skills (keyword “birding”) or prepare for the fall hunting seasons (keyword “waterfowl”). Or, simply get outside to enjoy the birds and introduce someone else to the wonders of birds! Learn more about the centennial and ways you can participate at dnr.wi.gov, keywords “bird treaty.” Helping Migratory Birds Thrive For decades, wildlife biologists have monitored populations of birds by banding, surveying and, more recently, using satellite transmitters and geolocators to track regional and even hemispheric movements of certain bird species. Here, a biologist bands a duck at Crex Meadows in 1964. Monitoring helps ensure that bird populations remain stable for current and future generations to enjoy. Some birds, such as Eastern Bluebirds, migrate short distances, spending the winter in states south of Wisconsin. Others, like the Bobolink, fly thousands of miles to overwinter in tropical South America. Non-migratory resident birds like the Northern Cardinal weather Wisconsin’s winters, but still benefit from the same habitat as migratory birds. Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial WDNR PHOTO
