We investigate the role of migratory birds in the spread of H5N1

 avian influenza, focusing on the interaction of a migratory bird 

species with nonmigratory poultry.  The model is of patch type and i

s derived with the aid of r

eaction-advection equations for the migratory birds in the air along t

he flyways. Poultry may reside at some or all of the four patches of the m

odel, which consist of the breeding patch for the migratory birds, their W

inter feeding patch, and two stopover patches where birds rest and refuel o

n their migration. Outward and return migratory routes can be different. T

he equations for the migratory birds contain time delays which represent t

he flight times for migratory birds along particular sectors.Delays also a

ppear in the model coefficients via quantities which represent

 flightsurvival probabilities for the various sectors.