Wetlands provide lifeline for migratory waterfowl

Flyway facts

Bird migration is one of the great wonders of the natural world. When traveling between their breeding and wintering grounds, birds don't choose their paths at random. Instead, they follow set routes that include suitable habitats where they can stop to rest and refuel along the way.

There are eight global flyways: three of them run through China.

The Americas Flyway: three routes that connect North America with the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The African-Eurasian Flyway: three routes that connect Europe and northern Asia with the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa.

The Central Asian Flyway: It connects northern Asia with southern Asia and the Middle East.

The East Asian-Australasian Flyway: It connects Northeast Asia with Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.