New Report Shocks Experts as Population of Many Bird Species in the U.S. Are Declining Steeply
The bird population in the United States is facing imminent danger. A new report by State of the Birds highlights how the bird population is faring against the challenges presented by the U.S. environment, and the results are not good. A startling statistic has come out of this report that has shocked the researchers, stated CBS News. The data combined with a decision undertaken by the authorities have left conservationists worried about the future.
The data claims that 229 out of a total of 718 bird species in the U.S. now come under high or moderate conservation concerns. The report states that the decline of the bird population in the country has been expansive. The dwindling of numbers has happened in all habitats. Around one-third of the bird species are currently in dire need of protection. Amongst the vulnerable species, the "tipping point" species are the most in danger, because they have lost more than half of their population, in the last five decades. The most noteworthy of these 'tipping point' species include saltmarsh sparrow, tricolored blackbird, and Allen's hummingbird. Experts claim that these three species will find themselves at extreme risk without any immediate measures.
Conservationists have long been stressed about the decreasing number of birds. They are always trying to encourage changes on the government level to bring a widespread change to the situation. Environment activists were disappointed when the U.S. Interior Department suspended a legal opinion in February from the Biden administration, which asked for commercial companies to be held accountable for the bird deaths they were causing with their activities. If made into a law, the opinion would have gone a long way in reducing bird deaths that are happening because of processes like oil and gas drilling.
The report further notes that the number of grassland birds in the U.S. has decreased by 43%. Reasons like row-crop production, habitat loss, and drought have been cited as primary factors behind this decline. Even the species that had flourished in the last few decades have suffered losses. "The 2025 State of the Birds report shows those losses are continuing, with declines among several bird trend indicators," the new report says. "Notably duck populations—a bright spot in past State of the Birds reports, with strong increases since 1970—have trended downward in recent years."
A study published in 2019 claimed that in the last five decades, North America has lost three billion birds. This is concerning for the environment as birds have a prominent role in maintaining several ecosystems. They also keep a check on pest populations, conduct pollination, and enhance biodiversity. Moreover, the fact that birds cannot survive in the present environment should be ringing danger bells for humans as well, experts claimed. "There's a really long history and a lot of evidence that shows that birds can be excellent indicators of environmental conditions," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies shared. "We share the same environments with birds, if they're not healthy for bird populations, they're not likely to be healthy for us either."
Environment advocates are calling for more funding to help birds recuperate from the present situation. A good investment will help organizations facilitate processes that protect habitats and reduce human intervention. "Birds unite us across the hemisphere and across the political spectrum," said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society. "There should be no hesitation in moving to protect them today and in the future."