Decline of Bird Species Signals a Warning of Environmental Concern

U.S. State of the Birds Report Finds Investment in Conservation Can Reverse this Trend

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 19, 2009 -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the release of the first ever U.S. State of the Birds report in an unprecedented partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, state government wildlife agencies, and nongovernment organizations. Based on a new analysis of 40 years of data, the report reveals that birds in many habitats have declined—a warning signal of the health of our nation’s environment. At the same time, it provides heartening evidence that conservation actions have reversed the declines of birds where efforts have been made.

“The will of our nation to prevent extinction and reverse environmental degradation are exemplified by the remarkable recovery of waterfowl through wetlands conservation, and the comeback of species that were once endangered, such as Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons,” said Secretary Salazar. “This shows that we can meet these challenges and maintain the integrity of our nation’s natural resources - the foundation upon which our precious resources, our wildlife, and the future of our children depend.”

The U.S. State of the Birds synthesizes data from three long-running bird censuses conducted by thousands of citizen scientists and professional biologists. The report calls attention to the crisis in Hawaii, where more birds are in danger of extinction than anywhere else in the United States. In other trouble spots, the report indicates a 40 percent decline in grassland birds over the past 40 years, a 30 percent decline in birds of aridlands, and high concern for many coastal shorebirds. In addition, 39 percent of species dependent on U.S. oceans have declined.

However, the report also reveals convincing evidence that birds can respond quickly and positively to conservation action. The data showed dramatic increases in many wetland birds, a testament to cooperative conservation efforts that have resulted in protection and management of more than 30 million acres. Pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, and waterfowl are thriving because of wetlands management and restoration.

“These results emphasize that investment in wetlands conservation has paid huge dividends,” said Kenneth Rosenberg, director of Conservation Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Now we need to invest similarly in other neglected habitats where birds are undergoing the steepest declines.”

“Habitats such as those in Hawaii are on the verge of losing entire suites of unique bird species,” said Dr. David Pashley, American Bird Conservancy’s Vice President for Conservation Programs. “In addition to habitat loss, birds also face many other man-made threats such as pesticides, predation by cats, and collisions with windows, towers and buildings – by solving these challenges we can preserve a growing economic engine -- the popular pastime of birdwatching that involves millions of Americans -- and improve our quality of life.”

“While some bird species are holding their own, many once common species are declining sharply in population. Habitat availability and quality is the key to healthy, thriving bird populations,” said Dave Mehlman of The Nature Conservancy

Surveys conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, including the annual Breeding Bird Survey, combined with data gathered through volunteer citizen Science program such as National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, show once abundant birds such as the Northern Bobwhite and Marbled Murrelet are declining significantly. The possibility of extinction also remains a cold reality for many endangered birds: 13 species may no longer exist in the wild (10 species from Hawaii, plus Bachman’s Warbler, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and Eskimo Curlew).

“Citizen science plays a critical role in monitoring and understanding the threats to these birds and their habitats and only citizen involvement can help address them,” said National Audubon Society’s Greg Butcher. “Conservation action can only make a real difference when concerned people support the kind of vital habitat restoration and protection measures this report explores.”

Birds are beautiful, as well as economically important and a priceless part of America's natural heritage. Each year, an estimated 71 million Americans participate in wildlife watching, generating an estimated $85 billion in economic activity. Birds are also highly sensitive to environmental pollution and climate change, making them critical indicators of the health of the environment on which we all depend.

The United States is home to a tremendous diversity of native birds, with more than 800 species inhabiting terrestrial, coastal, and ocean habitats, including Hawaii. Among these species, 67 are Federally-listed as endangered or threatened. Additionally, more than 184 additional are species of conservation concern because of their small distribution, high threats, or declining populations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the lead in creating the U.S. State of the Birds as a subcommittee of the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative including partners from American Bird Conservancy, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Klamath Bird Observatory, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and U.S. Geological Survey.

The report is available at www.stateofthebirds.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.