Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day This Weekend

METRO DETROIT, MI — The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is celebrating World Migratory Bird Day on Sunday, April 28, with special activities at the Detroit Zoo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Belle Isle Nature Center from 1 to 4 p.m. Both family-friendly events will include interactive stations where visitors can discover more about these winged wonders, the often-perilous journeys they undertake during the migration season and how people can help protect them from one of the major threats they face – colliding with windows in homes and buildings.

“Birds who make these amazing, long-distance flights are great examples of the vast diversity of life on our planet,” said Scott Carter, DZS chief life sciences officer. “Migrating birds face significant challenges, and many are caused by people. World Migratory Bird Day is an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the threats they face and the things we can all do to preserve them.”

Activities at the Detroit Zoo will take place at the Pierson Lake Picnic Site, beginning with a guided bird walk at 10:30 a.m. Animal care staff will lead guests on a bird-watching path using binoculars. Zookeeper talks at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. will highlight common terns, piping plovers, black-crowned night herons and ospreys.

Fun learning stations will include a chance for visitors to “transform” into a bird during a life-sized migration game and learn about the challenges birds face twice a year as they journey to and from their wintering sites. Visitors will have the chance to explore tools that resemble the function of different bird beaks, and learn how litter – especially plastic – can resemble food and pose problems for wild birds.

Guests can also measure themselves against an eagle’s wingspan and learn about the different types of bird-friendly glass and decal application techniques to protect birds from window collisions. Informational tables will be set up by the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory and Detroit Audubon, providing guests additional information about bird conservation.

At the Belle Isle Nature Center, guests can discover the great distances of bird migration, measure bird decals to prevent window collisions and match silhouettes to various bird species. Birding-themed nature hikes will also be offered.

An estimated 1 billion birds are killed each year from collisions with windows, according to the American Bird Conservancy. The DZS takes preventative measures to lower this number at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center, and encourages others to do the same in their homes, schools and businesses.

Detroit is a signatory city of the Urban Bird Treaty, a collaborative effort among federal, state and municipal agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions to create bird-friendly environments and provide citizens, especially youth, with opportunities to connect with nature through birding and conservation.

The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. With an annual regional economic impact of more than $167 million, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, hosting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to 2,400 animals representing 235 species.

The Belle Isle Nature Center sits on a 5-acre site surrounded by undisturbed forested wetlands on Belle Isle State Park in Detroit. It provides year-round educational, recreational and environmental conservation opportunities for the community.

For hours, prices, directions and other information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit detroitzoo.org.