Riyadh: The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) participated in World Migratory Bird Day 2026 under the theme 'Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter,' highlighting the vital role of migratory birds in ecosystem sustainability and emphasizing the importance of community involvement in global conservation efforts.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia serves as a critical global migration route, with 499 recorded bird species, including 300 migratory and 180 waterbird species. To protect these birds, NCW has implemented several initiatives, such as installing insulators on medium-voltage power lines to reduce bird mortality and automating hunting regulations via the "Fitri" platform to curb illegal practices and enhance monitoring efficiency.
The Kingdom's dedication to protecting migratory species was recently recognized with an outstanding leadership certificate at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species in Brazil. This follows a previous leadership award received in Samarkand, reflecting Saudi Arabia's successful international cooperation and data-driven field surveys used to update biodiversity lists and inform environmental decisions.
NCW urged the public and enthusiasts to document bird sightings, noting that such community-led data collection is essential for expanding scientific knowledge and supporting the sustainability of the Kingdom's rich ecosystems and natural habitats.