Every winter, millions of birds migrate from northern latitudes such as Siberia, Central Asia, and northern Europe to escape harsh climatic conditions. India’s wetlands, grasslands, and forests emerge as crucial wintering grounds for many of these migratory species.
What is Bird Migration?
- Bird migration refers to the seasonal movement of birds from one region to another, often over long distances.
- It is mainly driven by the need for food availability, suitable breeding grounds, and favourable climatic conditions.
- The migration patterns are evolutionarily adapted and highly route-specific, with birds often returning to the same paths annually.
Types of Bird Migration
- Complete Migration: The entire population migrates.
- Partial Migration: Only a section of the population migrates.
- Altitudinal Migration: Seasonal movement up and down mountains.
- Nomadic Movement: Irregular movement depending on resource availability.
India’s Significance in Winter Bird Migration
- Strategic Location: India lies along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), one of the world’s most significant migratory bird corridors.
- Seasonal Influx: Every year, millions of birds from Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and the Arctic migrate to India during winter.
- Diverse Habitats: Migratory birds utilize India’s wetlands, grasslands, forests, and coastal regions for wintering and stopovers.
Major Stopover & Wintering Sites in India
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, supporting large populations of waterfowl and waders.
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan): Renowned wintering ground for ducks, geese, and cranes.
- Sultanpur & Okhla Bird Sanctuaries (Delhi-NCR): Key urban wetlands for migratory birds.
- Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu): Important site for shorebirds and waders.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): A Ramsar Site hosting migratory waterbirds.
Migratory Birds Visiting India
- Bar-headed Goose: Famous for crossing the Himalayas at altitudes above 7,000 m.
- Demoiselle Crane: Migrates from Central Asia to peninsular India.
- Black-tailed Godwit & Ruff: Migratory shorebirds frequenting Indian wetlands.
- Arctic Tern: Undertakes the longest known migration, traveling between the Arctic and Antarctic.
- Amur falcons: They travel from China across India, rest in places like Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, and then cross the Arabian Sea to West Africa.
- Other Migrants: Ducks, storks, pelicans, and raptors significantly enrich India’s winter biodiversity.
How Do Birds Navigate Long Distances?
- Sun and Stars: Daytime migrants use the sun’s position, while nocturnal migrants navigate using stars and constellations.
- Earth’s Magnetic Field: Many species sense geomagnetic fields through specialized receptors (magnetoreceptor).
- Polarized Light: Detection of polarized light at dawn and dusk aids orientation.
- Landmarks and Olfactory Cues: Rivers, coastlines, mountains, and smells help guide migration routes.
Major Global Flyways
- Pacific Americas Flyway: Extends along the western coast of the Americas, from Alaska and Canada through the western USA to Chile and Argentina.
- Central Americas Flyway: Runs from Canada and the US Great Plains, through Central America, to the northern regions of South America.
- Atlantic Americas Flyway: Follows the eastern coastline of the Americas, linking the Canadian Arctic with the southern tip of South America.
- East Atlantic Flyway: Stretches from the Arctic, Greenland, and northern Europe, along western Europe and Africa, to southern Africa.
- Black Sea–Mediterranean Flyway: Originates in northern Eurasia, passing through Eastern Europe, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean, and terminates in North Africa.
- Central Asian Flyway (CAF): Connects northern Eurasia with Central Asia, extending to the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and Western Indian Ocean.
- East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF): Runs from the Arctic, northeastern Russia, and Alaska, through East and Southeast Asia, to Australia and New Zealand.
- West Pacific Flyway: Links Pacific islands, eastern Australia, and New Zealand with East Asia and Alaska, partly overlapping with the EAAF.
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Conservation Efforts Along Flyways
- Ramsar Convention: Provides protection to wetlands of international importance, which serve as critical habitats for migratory birds.
- Central Asian Flyway Action Plan: Encourages multinational collaboration to conserve migratory bird species and their habitats along the flyway.
- Protected Areas in India: Several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries function as vital resting, feeding, and wintering grounds for migratory birds.
- Community Participation: Local communities play a key role through wetland restoration, bird monitoring, and promotion of sustainable eco-tourism, strengthening conservation outcomes.
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) / Bonn Convention
- Nature: An international environmental agreement aimed at the conservation of migratory species and their habitats across their entire range.
- Origin: Signed in 1979 at Bonn, Germany; Entered into force in 1983.
- UN Affiliation: Signed under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Provides a global platform for cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and associated ecosystems.
- India’s Role:
- India is a signatory to CMS.
- Hosted CMS CoP-13 (2020) at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Launched a National Action Plan for migratory species conservation under the Central Asian Flyway.
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22 Dec 2025
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