Arizona's birds are disappearing fast
Birds that call Arizona's desert ecosystem home — including the state's iconic cactus wren — are in serious decline, according to a sweeping new conservation report.
Why it matters: Birds are indicators of the overall health of their habitats and signal early warnings of broader trouble. If these habitats can't support birdlife, they likely can't sustain other wildlife — or even humans — for long.
State of play: Since 1968, the West has lost almost half of aridland bird habitat to drought, wildfires and invasive plants, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report.
Nearly a quarter of the 31 aridland birds included in the analysis are considered "tipping point" species, meaning they could vanish without urgent conservation action.
This includes the sagebrush sparrow, black-chinned sparrow and Pinyon Jay, which can be found in parts of Arizona.
The big picture: It's not just Arizona. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere — even among birds once thought resilient, like waterfowl.
Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns.
What they're saying:"It's a reality check for us, every time we do one of these," Mike Brasher, co-chair of the report's science committee, told Audubon magazine.
"Threats to birds [and] bird habitat are as great now as they have ever been, and they're accelerating, in most cases," Brasher said.
What's next: Scientists are calling for bigger investments in habitat protection — particularly on private lands and in partnership with local communities and Indigenous nations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scientists issue urgent warning after alarming collapse of bird populations across the US: 'We have a full-on emergency'
A report from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows that bird populations across every U.S. habitat are plummeting, with 229 species in urgent need of help. And the impacts go far beyond bird-watching, pointing to deeper risks for ecosystems, economies, and human health. The 2025 State of the Birds report, released in March by a coalition led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and detailed in a university release on found that bird populations continue to decline. More than one-third of bird species are considered of high or moderate conservation concern, and 112 species are labeled "Tipping Point" birds, meaning they've lost more than half of their populations in the last 50 years. Birds such as Allen's hummingbird and the salt marsh sparrow are barely hanging on. Duck populations, a rare bright spot in past reports, are also beginning to decline. "Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats," said Marshall Johnson of the National Audubon Society. The data builds on the 2019 finding that North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Those losses aren't slowing down, and experts say the reasons are clear: habitat destruction, pollution, and extreme weather. Birds pollinate plants, spread seeds, and eat pests. Their decline points to deeper environmental issues that also threaten human health and well-being. "When we see declines like those outlined in the report, we need to remember that if conditions are not healthy for birds, they're unlikely to be healthy for us," said Amanda Rodewald from Cornell's Center for Avian Population Studies, per There's also an economic impact. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, birding supports 1.4 million jobs and generates $279 billion annually. That's a huge loss if birds — and the people who travel to see them — disappear. And mental health research published in Scientific Reports shows that hearing or seeing birds can help lower anxiety and depression symptoms, especially in urban environments. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Conservation efforts work if they're well funded and wide reaching. The State of the Birds report outlines successful strategies such as wetland restoration, forest renewal, seabird translocation, and coastal habitat protection, all of which have helped some species recover. Private land programs such as Audubon Conservation Ranching and Ducks Unlimited's wetland partnerships show how farmers, hunters, scientists, and communities can work together to rebuild habitats. One of the most effective things you can do is create a bird-friendly home and yard. That includes turning off outdoor lights during migration season, planting native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Apps such as Merlin Bird ID and eBird also help scientists track populations and can make birding more fun and accessible. "Birds unite us across the hemisphere and across the political spectrum — there should be no hesitation as we move to protect them today and in the future," said Johnson. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Learn about birding at Springfield Nature Center on April 17
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – John James Audubon — who painted a total of 1,065 birds in his life — is considered one of the landmark figures of North American bird study. However, author Kenn Kaufman points out that, because the famed ornithologist didn't have the research tools that are available today, he may have overlooked a few species in the course of his work. Kaufman will share his insights into Audubon's work at 'The Birds that Audubon Almost Missed,' a free program Thursday, April 17, at the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Springfield Conservation Nature Center, according to an MDC press release. This program, which will be 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. in the nature center auditorium, is for all ages. Those who are interested can register by clicking here. The program is free, but registration is required. At the April 17 program, Kaufman will delve into Audubon's works and the bird study methods used by Audubon and other ornithologists of his time. Audubon's masterpiece publication, 'The Birds of North America' published in sections between 1827 and 1838, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed, the release said. Kaufman's program, like his book, isn't meant to be a criticism of Audubon but rather a deep dive into the nature study methods of the day. The release said modern technology and access to bird information from other parts of the country, as well as other parts of the world, has given modern ornithologists tools that Audubon and his counterparts didn't have in the early 1800s. Kaufman also points out that Audubon may have been the first to write scientific descriptions of a number of North American bird species, but he didn't 'discover' them. These birds had been known to Native American populations in various parts of the continent for centuries, according to the release. The release said the April 17 program in Springfield will include a questions and answers segment with the author. MDC's Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield at 4601 S. Nature Center Way. People can stay informed about upcoming programs at the nature center by signing up for text alerts and e-mail bulletins. People who have questions about how to sign up for text alerts from the nature center can call (417) 888-4237. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
08-04-2025
- Axios
Arizona's birds are disappearing fast
Birds that call Arizona's desert ecosystem home — including the state's iconic cactus wren — are in serious decline, according to a sweeping new conservation report. Why it matters: Birds are indicators of the overall health of their habitats and signal early warnings of broader trouble. If these habitats can't support birdlife, they likely can't sustain other wildlife — or even humans — for long. State of play: Since 1968, the West has lost almost half of aridland bird habitat to drought, wildfires and invasive plants, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. Nearly a quarter of the 31 aridland birds included in the analysis are considered "tipping point" species, meaning they could vanish without urgent conservation action. This includes the sagebrush sparrow, black-chinned sparrow and Pinyon Jay, which can be found in parts of Arizona. The big picture: It's not just Arizona. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere — even among birds once thought resilient, like waterfowl. Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns. What they're saying:"It's a reality check for us, every time we do one of these," Mike Brasher, co-chair of the report's science committee, told Audubon magazine. "Threats to birds [and] bird habitat are as great now as they have ever been, and they're accelerating, in most cases," Brasher said. What's next: Scientists are calling for bigger investments in habitat protection — particularly on private lands and in partnership with local communities and Indigenous nations.
