Showcasing the spectacle of bird migration.

Curious about when, where, and how far birds migrate? Want to watch migration in your area as it happens? Find all this and more...

Explore Migration Tools
MYSTERY OF THE MISSING MIGRANTS | © Charley Harper Art Studio | Used with Permission

Mission

We use weather radar to detect and predict the numbers and flight directions of migratory birds aloft to support bird conservation and expand our understanding of migratory bird movement. 

Migration Tools

Live Migration Maps

Watch how much, where and when migration is occurring in real-time.

Migration Forecast Maps

Be prepared for how much, where and when bird migration will occur.

Local Migration Alerts

Sign up to learn when intense periods of bird migration will be occurring near you.*

*(Currently only available for limited cities.)

Your Local Dashboard

Read the detailed breakdown of nocturnal bird migration in your county and state**.

**(Currently only available in the contiguous U.S.)

Learn the Science Behind…

Radar Ornithology

Broader information about the history, functionality, and uses of radar technology.

Radar Technology

Bird Migration

Multiple exposure of nocturnally migrating birds over Lexington, KY. Photo: Frank Döring

Details on the ecology, biology, and study of avian migration.

Bird Migration

Publications

BirdCast has been mentioned in over 100+ publications since its creation.

Key Publications

News

Help Protect Migratory Birds

Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate through the US. Over 80% of migratory species in North America migrate at night. Light pollution interrupts migration and puts migratory birds at risk.

Turn Lights Out!

Scientific Team

BirdCast is made possible by the participating scientists at the below institutions, and many other contributors.

See More Contributors