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African-EurasianFlyway

Each year, more than 2 billion birds travel a superhighway stretching from the Arctic tundra to the tip of southern Africa. This is the African-Eurasian Flyway.

Stretching across three continents, vast bird migrations connect some of the world’s most iconic landscapes – from Arctic tundra to African savannah, encompassing Mediterranean shores and Rift Valley lakes, and spanning boreal forest to Sahelian wetland. This is the African-Eurasian Flyway: the world’s largest avian superhighway.

These sites are not just vital for birds. Along the flyway, the same habitats sustain the food security, water resources and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people across 137 countries, while storing vast amounts of carbon. The health of these places determines the fate of migratory species and the wellbeing of the communities connected to them.

The Egyptian Vulture is Europe’s only long-distance migratory vulture. © Lars Petersson – My World of Bird Photography

Conservation at a flyway scale

Driving safer infrastructure

We’re piloting tools that pause wind turbines when migrating flocks are due, working with governments to make energy development safer for birds.

Protecting Wildlife

We’re coordinating the recovery of threatened species across borders with the help of community groups and more than 80 national Partners.

Supporting Livelihoods

We support sustainable agriculture and local livelihoods, strengthening communities’ capacity for conservation and advocacy so people and birds can thrive.

Investing in the flyway

BirdLife has assessed more than 6,500 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas along the length of the flyway. Through the African-Eurasian Flyway Initiative, in collaboration with the World Bank, BirdLife is channelling responsible investment through a network of more than 50 national partners working on the ground. From this network, BirdLife has identified over 400 priority sites where targeted protection and restoration can keep birds moving across Africa, Europe and Asia.

Our vision is a flyway where migratory bird populations are thriving, connecting and inspiring people across countries and continents, with a network of protected and restored sites.

Learn More about the flyway
world bank collaboration
Flight for survival

We help migratory birds across Africa and Eurasia

JORDAN

Azraq Wetland Reserve

Hero Species

The White Stork is known across the flyway as a bringer of good fortune. Each year, vast flocks pass through Azraq on their way between breeding grounds in Europe and non-breeding sites in Africa.

FACTSHEET

Protection Measures

Azraq sits within the Arabian Desert, acting as a vital oasis that draws migrants together from across Central Asia and the Middle East — more than 330 species have been recorded here. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, our Partner in Jordan, has pioneered tools to make energy development safer for birds, pausing wind turbines in Jordan when migrating flocks are due.

Future Plans

We aim to expand bird-safe energy tools to more countries along the flyway, and continue monitoring Azraq’s role as a stopover for species moving between three continents.

Play your partto protect nature

Your support is critical to ensure that BirdLife International can continue its work, delivering high impact and long-term conservation for both people and nature.