The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) is part of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and is located in Washington, D.C. The SMBC conducts research on bird migration and conservation.
The SMBC was established in 1991 as a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo. The goal of the SMBC is to study migrant bird species, especially neotropical migrants, and find ways to conserve their populations. Some of the major research areas at the SMBC include:
- Understanding bird migration routes and patterns
- Studying the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation
- Assessing threats to migratory birds like climate change and light pollution
- Finding solutions to conserve migratory bird populations
Location
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is located on the grounds of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. The SCBI is about 70 miles west of Washington, D.C. in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The street address for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Migratory Bird Center is:
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630
The SMBC conducts research both at its facilities in Front Royal, Virginia and at field research sites around the world. Scientists from the SMBC collaborate with partners across the Americas to study and protect migratory bird populations.
History
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has its roots in the Smithsonian Institution’s bird research program that began in the 1960s. At first, research focused on cataloguing bird sounds and distributions in the Americas. In 1991, the program evolved into the SMBC with an expanded mission to study threats to migratory birds and find solutions.
Some key milestones in the history of the SMBC include:
- 1961 – Smithsonian begins bird research with a program on neotropical migrant birds
- 1991 – Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center formally created
- 1993 – SMBC initiates the Neighborhood Nestwatch program for citizen science data collection
- 1994 – SMBC launches the Migratory Bird Day event to educate the public
- 2000s – SMBC expands research to birds’ wintering grounds in Latin America
- 2015 – SMBC moves to new facilities at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia
Today, the SMBC continues to innovate new research projects, technologies, and outreach programs to understand and conserve migratory birds.
Research and Conservation Work
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center focuses on scientific research and direct conservation efforts to protect migratory bird species. Some major areas of the SMBC’s work include:
Migration Tracking
SMBC scientists use technologies like GPS tags, satellite telemetry, and isotope analysis to map migration pathways and identify key stopover habitats. This research informs conservation strategies for important migratory stop sites.
Breeding Bird Surveys
The SMBC analyzes data from large-scale bird monitoring programs like the North American Breeding Bird Survey to detect population trends and identify species in need of conservation action.
Threat Assessments
Researchers study major threats to migratory birds like climate change, light pollution, habitat loss, and pesticides. This helps prioritize conservation efforts on the largest risks.
Latin America Conservation
The SMBC works with local partners to study and protect bird habitat in Latin America, where many North American species overwinter. Efforts include habitat restoration and working with communities.
Public Outreach
Outreach programs like Migratory Bird Day educate the public about threats to migratory birds and actions they can take to help protect species.
Partners and Funding
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center collaborates with partners across academia, government agencies, non-profits, and local communities. Some key partners include:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- State wildlife agencies
- Universities and research institutes
- Nature conservancies and conservation groups
- Latin American local communities and parks
The SMBC’s research and conservation programs are funded through government grants, private foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors and members. Major funding sources have included:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Science Foundation
- National Geographic Society
- Toyota TogetherGreen
- Disney Conservation Fund
Conclusion
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, located at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, plays a vital role in studying and protecting migratory bird populations. Through scientific research, direct conservation, and public education, the SMBC generates knowledge and solutions needed to conserve migratory bird species in the face of growing threats like climate change and habitat destruction.
With collaborative networks across the Americas, the SMBC takes a broad approach to understanding the full annual cycle of migratory birds. Their work is essential for informing policies and conservation strategies to protect the amazing phenomenon of bird migration for the future.
