An initiative – backed by the city government and the schools – aims to raise awareness about preserving birds in the metropolitan zone of the Mexican capital. Threats to the birds include cats and rats, as well as lack of food and water, and the effects of climate change. The Mexican edition of the World Bird Festival 2009, celebrated through the month of October by 17 institutions in the metro area, is focusing attention on caring for the 800 avian species found in the Valley of Mexico, which encompasses the capital and several surrounding municipalities.

“We want to promote bird watching, so people get to know them and recognize them,” Eréndira Cohen, deputy director for environmental education of the capital's Environment Secretariat (ministry), told Tierramérica.

The festival, which has been celebrated annually for the past 15 years around the globe, includes contests and information workshops.