Birds in the U.S. are disappearing at an astonishing rate, with more than 229 emergency protection operations currently in need, according to a striking new report released this week. The 2025 Bird Report was revealed at the 90th Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, revealing an ongoing crisis that affects not only birds, but also potential human health and economy.
The comprehensive assessment comes five years after researchers documented the astonishing losses of 3 billion birds in North America over the past half century. The new data did not show improvements and also indicated that the situation had worsened.
“Birds tell us that we have comprehensive emergencies in all habitats,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer of the National Audubon Society.
One of the most disturbing findings is the identification of 112 “cutting point” species that have lost more than half of their populations in the past 50 years. Even more worrying is that 42 species are now classified as “red effects”, facing dangerous low populations that put them at risk of extinction without immediate intervention. These include Allen’s Hummingbird, the Tri-Colored Blackbird and the Salt Marsh Pin this sparrow.
Especially surprising is the decline of ducks, which has been a rare success story in previous reports, but is now trending downward under changing environmental conditions.
Dr. Amanda Rodewald, a faculty member at the Cornell Laboratory Research Center at the Center for Ornithology, has achieved similarities between bird health and human health. “The rapid decline of birds shows strong pressures that wildlife and people are experiencing around the world due to habitat loss, environmental degradation and extreme weather events,” she explained. “When we see the decline outlined in the report, we need to remember that if birds are not healthy for birds, they are not very healthy for us.”
The report, discovered by a coalition of scientific and conservation organizations led by the North American Bird Conservation Program, found that more than one-third of bird species now have high or moderate conservation issues. These declines span almost all continents and marine habitats, indicating environmental deterioration.
Despite the grim findings, experts stress that economic and practical reasons can be invested in bird conservation. Nearly 100 million Americans engage in birding activities in 2022, cited in the report, generate $279 billion in economic output and support 1.4 million jobs.
“The bird report in 2025 has raised an alarm,” admitted Jeff Walters, co-chair of the American Ornithology Society’s Conservation Committee, “but it also raises hope. Public interest in birds and the economic interests of birdwatching are at unprecedented levels, as well as information available on the status of each of our bird species.”
In addition to economics, the report highlights that research shows that encountering birds can improve mental health by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression – which may be at risk as bird populations decrease.
Protecting successful stories provides templates for effective methods. “Many bird populations are struggling. But the blueprint for success is based on scientific programs and cooperative investment in habitat conservation.”
Adair notes past achievements: “For decades, the strategic and aggressive wetland habitat conservation for hunters, landowners, state and federal agencies have promoted many waterfowl and waterfowl species when the weather conditions are good. We have proven it works. We have to do more.”
The alliance behind the report identifies several successful conservation methods, including conservation of pastures, coastal restoration, forest renewal and seabird translocation programs. These initiatives show how strategic investments and collaborations between government agencies, private landowners and conservation organizations can help restore bird populations after proper implementation and funding.
“Luckily, many of the actions that are beneficial to birds are good for us. We also protect the services that maintain our ecosystem when we protect the habitats that birds rely on,” Rodwald said.
However, Michael J. Parr, president of the U.S. Bird Reservation, stressed that the current efforts are not enough to deal with the scale of the crisis. “We have clear evidence that conservation works can stop falling. Now, more than ever, we need programs and funds that match the scale of the biggest challenges facing birds today. Science is solid in how to reverse the damage done, but to be successful, these issues need to be taken seriously.”
As spring immigration begins in much of the United States, the bets to implement these solutions become increasingly obvious. Each silent dawn represents not only the lost biodiversity, but also the potential downgraded ecosystem that supports human communities.
Johnson made a final call for emergency action that went beyond the political sector: “Birds unite us throughout the hemisphere and throughout the political field – we do not hesitate to do so because we act to protect them today and in the future.”
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