May 10 is World Migratory Bird Day. This special day celebrates our incredible avian species and the many ways we can help protect them.

The day’s conservation theme for 2025 is Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities, promoting the importance of healthy coexistence between people and birds. No matter where you live, you can do something for the birds:

• Plant native species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses. These plants provide the food and shelter that birds need.
• Birds do not recognize pane glass and may collide with windows. Make your home or other buildings safer for birds by treating your windows with films or decals to reduce building collisions.
• Turn off lights between dawn and dusk, especially during the fall and spring migration seasons. The glow from our communities and homes may disrupt the rest cycles of birds, alter their migrations, or impact breeding.
• Leave your leaves alone! Insects rely on the habitat provided by fallen leaves, especially over the winter months. Dead leaves also decompose to create compost that can improve soil structure and fertility.
• If you live in an apartment, set out a balcony pot of native plants to help feed the insects that help feed birds.
• Approximately 95% of birds depend upon insects! Do not use pesticides and herbicides that kill the insects and plants that many birds rely upon for food.
• Restrain your pets. Free-roaming cats and dogs can disturb and even kill birds. Provide your kitty with a “catio,” leash your pets, or provide them with indoor entertainment.
• Purchase sustainable foods like shade grown coffee and chocolate that protect tropical forests, support native tree diversity, reduce pollution, and support migratory birds where they spend the winter.
• Grab a pair of binoculars and enjoy the birds in your area! You can even participate in citizen bird monitoring programs like eBird or Christmas Bird Counts.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on Saturday, May 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! Explore touch tables with our docents, sample bird-friendly coffee, and learn how we can protect our North American songbirds for future generations. All ages are welcome, and the event is free with Zoo admission.

Migratory Bird Day is proudly sponsored by Peoples Natural Gas.