Migratory Birds: About 45 birds species annually migrate to Myanmar

Hibernation is most often seen as a seasonal behavior.In response to food shortages, severe weather and large scale of snow cover in winter, bird species inhabit northern part of the earth move along their fly way to southern part which is warmer and has availability of food.  Likewise, migratory birds also fly to MoYunGyi lake in Myanmar with two different routes. 

Staff Officer, Mo Yun Gyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Thin Thin Yu said “Among the major nine fly paths in the world, Central Asian and East Asian-Australasian routes pass over Myanmar. So, birds arrive at this sanctuary through these two routes. Central Asian is the shortest way and it covers 30 countries. 182 species of birds are there and 20 of them are under threat of extinction. East Asian-Australasian flyway covers 37 countries and it has 482 bird species including 28 globally endangered species.”

It is learnt that, there are nine major flyways used by the migratory birds in the world.

To Myanmar, birds migrate and inhabit through Central Asian and East Asian-Australasian Flyways.  

Moe Yun Gyi lake is a wetland ecosystem and it mainly protects migratory waterbird species. Annually, they arrive in October and moved back in April/May. 

Staff Officer, Mo Yun Gyi Wildlife Sanctuary, Thin Thin Yu said “The most hibernated ones in Myanmar reach between 45 to 55 species annually including Asian Openbill, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail and Black-winged stilt. There are nine endangered species. As we mainly protect migratory waterbirds, we conduct collecting the birds’ lists as well as surveying fish species in the lake and plant species based on the habitat areas of them. We again at the nearby villages and schools, monthly educative campaigns are conducted in order to prevent illegal fishing, hunting.”

There are over 10,400 bird species in the world and 1,136 species are inhabited in Myanmar which is rich in bird species and the most see area in South East Asian countries, it’s learnt.