Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) and Regulations

Canada seasonally hosts approximately 450 species of native birds, the majority of which are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and are collectively referred to as “migratory birds”. It is the responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada to develop and implement policies and regulations to ensure the protection of migratory birds, their eggs and their nests.

Among others, Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for implementing the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, which provides for the protection of migratory birds through the Migratory Birds Regulations and the Migratory Birds Sanctuary Regulations. The hunting of migrating game birds is managed through bi-annual process of consultation resulting in the amendments of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations and established according to national Objectives and Guidelines.

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Birds Protected in Canada Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
This section provides information on migratory birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

List of Migratory Birds - Search by Taxonomic Order
This section provides capacity to search by Alphabetical List by Family Scientific Name; Alphabetical List by English Name; Alphabetical List by Scientific Name; and by Taxonomic order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA)
This section provides answers to most frequently asked questions related to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations (MBSR)
This section provides answers to most frequently asked questions related to the Migratory Birds Sanctuary Regulations (MBSR).