Introduction:

Last month, more than 100 top bird scientists, conservationists and policy makers met in the United Arab Emirates to strengthen efforts to conserve migratory birds and their habitats.

These beloved feathered creatures fly hundreds and thousands of kilometres to find the best conditions to feed or raise their young.

The international community has dedicated 12 May as World Migratory Bird Day to draw attention to the perils they encounter on their journeys, as well as the various threats they face such as loss of wintering or stopover sites.

For this year’s observation, UN News is rebroadcasting a 2017 interview with Borja Heredia, head of the avian unit at the UN Convention on Migratory Species.

He told Matt Wells that the population of migratory birds worldwide is in danger of collapsing unless their habitats are taken better care of and climate change is addressed.