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Today, the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was unveiled during the 90th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. This comprehensive report, crafted by a coalition of esteemed science and conservation groups, highlights a persistent and alarming trend: American bird populations continue to decline across both terrestrial and marine habitats. Specifically, it identifies 229 species that are in urgent need of conservation efforts. This report follows the groundbreaking 2019 study that noted a staggering loss of 3 billion birds in North America over the span of five decades.
The report’s key insights indicate that over one-third of bird species in the United States are classified as having high or moderate conservation concerns. Among these are 112 Tipping Point species that have experienced a population decrease of over 50% in the last 50 years. Alarmingly, 42 of these species are on the red-alert list with critically low populations, including species like Allen’s Hummingbird, Tricolored Blackbird, and Saltmarsh Sparrow, all of which require immediate intervention to avert extinction.
Moreover, the report underscores that bird conservation efforts do not solely benefit wildlife; they also positively impact the U.S. economy. With nearly 100 million individuals participating in birding activities, their economic contributions are significant. The findings from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation reveal that bird watching generates an economic impact of approximately $279 billion and supports 1.4 million jobs in related sectors.
“The data indicates that we are facing a comprehensive emergency affecting all habitats,” stated Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer of the National Audubon Society.
The report further indicates that bird populations are on a downward trend across almost all habitats, with duck populations, which previously showed resilience, also declining in recent years.
“The swift decline in bird populations reflects the increasing pressures that wildlife and humans are facing worldwide from habitat destruction, environmental degradation, and extreme weather events,” commented Dr. Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Center for Avian Population Studies. “Declines like those presented in the report serve as a reminder that if conditions are detrimental for bird populations, they are unlikely to be favorable for humans either.”
“While the findings of the 2025 State of the Birds report are troubling, they also inspire hope,” emphasized Jeff Walters, co-chair of the conservation committee at the American Ornithological Society. “Public engagement with birds and the economic advantages of birding are at all-time highs, and we have unprecedented access to information about the status of each bird species.”
The report outlines the economic and health benefits of bird watching, reinforcing the argument for promoting conservation initiatives. It notes that interactions with birds can have a profound positive effect on mental health, helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
Despite the alarming trends, the report suggests that successful conservation is achievable with the right support. “While many bird populations face challenges, we have effective methods available through science-based planning and collaborative habitat conservation efforts,” stated Dr. Steve Adair, chief scientist at Ducks Unlimited.
Initiatives involving private land programs and conservation partnerships—such as conservation ranching, coastal restoration, forest renewal, and seabird translocation—demonstrate that concerted efforts and strategic investments can bring bird populations back from the brink. “The decades-long focus on wetland habitat conservation by a coalition of hunters, landowners, state and federal agencies, and corporations has been effective for numerous waterfowl species, especially when weather conditions improve. We’ve proven that it works, and we must amplify these efforts,” Adair added.
“The practices beneficial to birds also protect the ecosystem services crucial for our survival,” noted Rodewald.
“We have robust evidence that conservation efforts can indeed reverse declining trends,” said Michael J. Parr, President of American Bird Conservancy. “What is essential now is the establishment of programs and funding that are commensurate with the formidable challenges birds face today. The scientific framework for recovery exists, yet these matters require serious attention.”
“Birds connect us across the continent and across various political divides—there should be no delay in our actions to protect them now and in the future,” concluded Johnson.
The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was developed by a consortium led by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI).
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