You are weak and hungry, but turning back is not an option. At the same time, you start wondering if you can survive the journey. It can sound like a nightmare, but these are among the plights that migratory birds face.

As they travel long distances to places in warmer temperatures with better food supply and nesting locations, they face the devastating possibility of discovering their stopover spots or summer habitats destroyed.

There are also other challenges such as predators, bad weather and even light pollution that can take a toll on these birds.

Today, on World Migratory Bird Day, FMT takes a look at the journey of four migratory birds and the threats they face.

Nordmann’s greenshank

The Nordmann’s Greenshank, or spotted greenshank, may not be the most striking of birds. Yet, upon inspection, one can’t help but appreciate its slim build, thin legs, and long beak.

The birds breed in Russia and travel to Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia to spend their winter. They have also been recorded on passage in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Their habitats include wetlands and intertidal zones, an area where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides.

Sadly, they are listed as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List).

It is believed that their declining population is mainly due to the development of coastal wetlands in Asia for industry and infrastructure projects. Habitat degradation of its breeding sites in Russia is yet another factor.

Siberian crane

With its pristine white plumage, long legs, and slender build, the Siberian crane is an elegant bird.

Also known as the Siberian white crane or snow crane, the birds typically breed in Russia and a majority of them winter in China. Making the long trek is not easy.

Currently listed as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List, they face the threat of hunting, habitat loss due to wetland conversions, and habitat degradation in their China wintering grounds mostly due to the construction of Three Gorges Dam, a hydroelectric gravity dam, as well as other water development projects.

Orange-bellied parrot

A plump, orange-bellied parrot is the sight you’d want to see on a day you’re feeling sad as it can definitely make you smile.

Its plumage is stunning. Green on its outer back and yellow on its lower belly tinged with a brilliant orange patch.

Looking at these birds who only measure approximately 20 centimeters in length, the saying, ‘do not judge a book (or bird) by its cover (or size)’ is certainly apt.

Despite their petite size, they can travel from Tasmania, where they breed, to the south-eastern coast of mainland Australia to spend the winter. But the journey is not smooth sailing.

Among the primary threats they face are habitat loss and degradation due to urban and agriculture developments at both their wintering and breeding sites.

They are currently under the “critically endangered” category on the IUCN Red List.

Spoon-billed sandpiper

Though it does not have vibrantly-coloured plumage, the spoon-billed sandpiper is not an easy sight to forget, namely due to the unique shape of its bill. Long, flat and wide towards the end, one can’t help but think of a spatula!

It is said that these birds breed in Russia as well as certain countries in East Asia while their main wintering sites are in Southeast Asia.

Yet another “critically endangered” bird on the IUCN Red list, the decline in their population can be attributed to habitat loss in their wintering and breeding sites that is also compounded by pollution and the effects of climate change.

Additionally, reclamation of intertidal habitats that they rely upon during their migration journey is yet another threat.