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Axios
06-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Utah's birds are disappearing fast
Birds that call Utah's mountains and deserts home 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 probably can't sustain other wildlife — or even humans — for long. By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Utah species like the greater sage grouse, the desert-dwelling Bendire's thrasher and the sagebrush sparrow have seen their populations cut in half, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. The pinyon jay — a signature species of our pinyon-juniper woodlands — has lost 70% of its population since 1970. It's now labeled a "tipping point" species, meaning it could vanish unless urgent conservation action is taken. State of play: In the past 55 years, the West has lost almost half of arid-land bird habitat to drought, wildfires and invasive plants, the report states. Nearly a quarter of the 31 arid-land birds included in the analysis are considered tipping point species. Over half of western forest birds are declining. Zoom in: The shrinking Great Salt Lake is a critical hub for migratory birds, including about 21% of North America's endangered snowy plovers — also a tipping point species. The lake's long-billed dowitchers and sanderlings are also at the tipping point. Follow the money: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report finds. 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. The big picture: It's not just Utah. 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.
Axios
17-04-2025
- General
- Axios
Illinois birds in crisis: Report shows major decline in local species
Birds that call Illinois grasslands and wetlands home are in serious decline, according to a 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. By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Illinois species like the Henslow's Sparrow and Bobolink have seen population crashes of over 40%, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. The other side: The Northern Cardinal — a signature species in Illinois — has not experienced major declines in population. On the rise in the Chicago area is the Canadian Goose. Between the lines: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report found. What they're saying: "It's a reality check for us, every time we do one of these," Mike Brasher, the 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. Zoom in: Chicago is home to the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major North American migratory routes. Millions of birds pass through the city, making bird-building collisions a problem. But bird collisions at McCormick Place have dropped significantly since the city installed better lighting. The big picture: It's not just Illinois. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere, even among birds that were once thought resilient, including urban birds like the White-throated Sparrow. Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns. Since 1970, nearly half of aridland birds and 43% of grassland birds across the U.S., including the Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois, have disappeared. Yes, but: There are signs of hope. Thanks to wetland protections, dabbling and diving duck populations have jumped 24% since 1970, while waterbirds are up 16%, per the report.
Axios
08-04-2025
- Science
- 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.
Axios
31-03-2025
- Science
- Axios
Birds in Colorado and nationwide are vanishing — fast
Birds that call Colorado's high plains and deserts home 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. By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Colorado species like the mountain plover and Baird's sparrow have seen population crashes over 67%, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. The pinyon jay — a signature species of Colorado's pinyon-juniper woodlands — has lost 70% of its population. It's now labeled a "Tipping Point" species, meaning it could vanish without urgent conservation action. Zoom out: Since 1970, nearly half of aridland birds and 43% of grassland birds across the U.S., including the Western meadowlark in Colorado, have disappeared. Between the lines: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report finds. 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. The big picture: It's not just Colorado. 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. Yes, but: There are signs of hope. Thanks to wetland protections, dabbling and diving duck populations have jumped 24% since 1970, while waterbirds are up 16%, per the report. 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.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ducks were once a conservation bright spot. Now they're declining in the US, new report shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 112 North American bird species have lost more than half their populations in the past 50 years, according to a new report published Thursday. Among the birds showing the steepest declines are Allen's hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds and yellow-billed magpies. 'These are the very real consequences if we are unable to conserve and protect the crucial habitats that birds need,' said study co-author Mike Brasher, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Ducks Unlimited. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. For several decades, waterfowl stood out as a conservation bright spot with duck populations growing nationwide even as many other groups of birds declined in the U.S. But that trend has reversed, the new data shows. The total number of dabbling and diving ducks is down about 30% from 2017, said Brasher. Loss of grasslands habitat and a prolonged drought affecting the wetlands of the Great Plains' prairie pothole region have taken a toll. Among all waterfowl, numbers are down 20% since 2014, the report found. The latest report is a collaboration between several groups including Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the American Ornithological Society. The work draws on survey data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and citizen projects such as Cornell's eBird. There are some 2,000 bird species in North America. A third of the species examined are rated as high or moderate concern for conservation due to declining numbers, habitat loss or other threats. These birds 'need urgent conservation attention,' said Amanda Rodewald, a study co-author from Cornell, adding that bird survey trends also reveal the health of their habitats. The report focuses on birds that must breed and feed in specific habitats such as forests, grasslands and coastal regions. Grassland birds including the Bobolink are most at risk. 'For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life,' said Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra, who was not involved in the new report. Marra pointed to key past conservation successes in the U.S. – such as the comebacks of bald eagles, egrets and osprey. 'We know that we can bend the curve back with targeted conservation plans. But we can't just close our eyes and hope," he said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
