Figure 2. Intercontinental shorebird and Anseriform connections and H5N1 avian influenza distribution.

Global map indicates countries (in red) that have had outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry or wild birds between Jan 1, 2003 and August 15, 2009. Overlaid, in blue are links between breeding and wintering habitats of shorebirds (solid lines; Order charadriiforms, including gulls, plovers, sandpipers, etc.), and ducks, geese, and swans (dashed lines; Order anseriforms). Thickness of line indicates relative number of birds migrating between continents (e.g. thousands of Anseriform birds migrate from Siberia to the Pacific coast of California whereas millions of anseriforms migrate between Asia and Europe). Note also the distance each group migrates as indicated in the figure (shorebirds reach southern S. America, S. Africa, and Australia, none of which are reached by anseriforms from northern N. America, Europe, or Asia). Arrows do not necessarily indicate actually flyway used by birds, but merely indicate connections between regions.