Report Warns of Severe Declines in U.S. Bird Populations

The 2025 State of the Birds report highlights alarming trends, with over a third of species in need of urgent conservation efforts.

The report identifies 229 bird species in the U.S. as high or moderate conservation concerns, including 112 'tipping point' species that have lost over half their populations in 50 years.
Grassland bird populations have declined by 43% since 1970, with aridland birds down 41% and waterfowl populations dropping 20% since 2014.
Key species at risk include Allen's Hummingbird, Tricolored Blackbird, and Saltmarsh Sparrow, which face critical threats without immediate intervention.
Bird conservation efforts deliver economic benefits, with birdwatching contributing $279 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supporting 1.4 million jobs.
The report emphasizes that science-based habitat conservation programs, like coastal restoration and conservation ranching, have proven effective in reversing declines.