Th e St a t e o f t h e Bi r d s United States of America 2009 are a priceless part of America’s heritage. They are beautiful, they are economically important—and they reflect the health of our environment. This State of the Birds report reveals troubling declines of populations during the past 40 years—a warning signal of the failing health of our ecosystems. At the same time, we see heartening evidence that strategic land management and conservation action can reverse declines of birds. This report calls attention to the collective efforts needed to protect nature’s resources for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Contents Foreword...... 3. Waterfowl ...... 20 Overview ...... 4 Marsh Birds...... 21 Aridlands...... 6 Coasts...... 22. Grasslands...... 8 Oceans...... 24 Game Birds...... 10. Hawaiian Birds. . . . 26. Urban Birds...... 11. Endangered . . 28 Co v e r p h o t o s f r o m t o p , l e f t t o r i g h t : Ma g n o l i a Wa r b l e r b y Pa m e l a We l l s ; Sa g u a r o Na t i o n a l Mo n u m e n t , Forests...... 12 Challenges...... 30 Ar i z o n a , b y Ge r r i t Vy n , Gr e a t e r Pr a i r i e -Ch i c k e n b y Ge r r i t Vy n ; Pa c i f i c f o r e s t , Op a l Cr e e k , Or e g o n , b y Ge r r i t Vy n ; Sn o w y Ow l b y Ge r r i t Vy n ; a r c t i c c o a s t a l p l a i n t u n d r a , Co l v i l l e Ri v e r De l t a , Al a s k a , b y Arctic...... 16 Our Approach. . . . . 33. Ge r r i t Vy n ; Os p r e y b y Ja m e s Li v a u d a i s . Th i s p a g e : Sc a r l e t Ta n a g e r b y Ge r r i t Vy n . Fa c i n g p a g e : Ba r -t a i l e d Go d w i t n e s t b y Ge r r i t Vy n . Wetlands...... 18 Acknowledgements. . .34 2 warning signal of the failing health of our ecosystems. Where we have been negligent too long, such as in , we are on the verge Foreword of losing entire suites of unique and beautiful birds and native plant Birds Are Important Indicators communities. of Our Nation’s Environmental Health At the same time, we see heartening evidence that birds can respond quickly and positively to conservation action. Many waterfowl The United States is blessed with diverse landscapes, a wealth of species have undergone significant increases in the past 40 years, a natural resources, and spectacular wildlife, including more than 800 testament to coordinated conservation efforts in wetlands. Through bird species. Birds are a national treasure and a heritage we share focused conservation efforts, we have brought magnificent Peregrine with people around the world, as billions of migratory birds follow Falcons and Bald back from the brink of extinction. the seasons across oceans and continents. Our passion for nature is evident: Wildlife watching generates $122 billion in economic output We ask you to join us in continuing to reverse the damage to our annually, and one in every four American adults is a bird watcher. nation’s habitats and protect our remaining natural landscapes—the foundation upon which our precious resources, our wildlife, and In the past 200 years, however, the U.S. human population has the lives of our children depend. Cooperative conservation efforts skyrocketed from about 8 million to 300 million. As we have among the government, conservation organizations, and ordinary harvested energy and food, grown industries, and built cities, we citizens—private landowners, hunters, and bird watchers—really are have often failed to consider the consequences to nature. During our making a difference. history, we have lost a part of our natural heritage—and degraded and depleted the resources upon which our quality of life depends. It is imperative that we redouble our efforts now, before habitat loss We have lost more than half of our nation’s original wetlands, 98% and degradation become even more widespread, intractable, and of our tallgrass prairie, and virtually all virgin forests east of the expensive to solve. Together, we can ensure that future generations Rockies. Since the birth of our nation, four American bird species will look back at this first State of the Birds report with disbelief that have gone extinct, including the Passenger Pigeon, once the world’s their common birds could ever have been so troubled. most abundant bird. At least 10 more species are possibly extinct. North American Bird Conservation Birds are bellwethers of our natural and cultural health as a nation— Initiative, U.S. Committee they are indicators of the integrity of the environments that provide American Bird Conservancy us with clean air and water, fertile soils, abundant wildlife, and the Association of natural resources on which our economic development depends. In Fish and Wildlife Agencies the past 40 years, major public, private, and government initiatives Cornell Lab of Ornithology have made strides for conservation. Has it been enough? How are birds faring? Klamath Bird Observatory National Audubon Society In an unprecedented partnership, government wildlife agencies and conservation groups have come together to produce this first The Nature Conservancy comprehensive analysis of the state of our nation’s birds. The results U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are sobering: bird populations in many habitats are declining—a U.S. Geological Survey

Bar-tailed Godwit nest, Alaska. 3 j a c k j o t o h p y e r f f e The results reflect the influence of human activities and global change on our nation’s birds. Every U.S. habitat harbors birds in need of conserva- . c

m o tion. Hawaiian birds and ocean birds appear most at risk, with populations in danger of collapse if immediate conservation measures are not imple- mented. Bird populations in grassland and aridland habitats show the most rapid declines over the past 40 years. Birds that depend on forests are also declining. In contrast, wetland species, wintering coastal birds, and hunted waterfowl show increasing populations during the past 40 years, reflecting a strong focus during this period on wetlands conservation and management.

Species of Conservation Concern

70 Percentage of Federally threatened Additional species of bird species that 60 or endangered conservation concern are threatened, 50 endangered, and of The `I`iwi is a bird unique to the Hawaiian Islands. More bird species are conservation concern vulnerable to extinction in Hawaii than anywhere else in the United States. 40 in each habitat. 30 Overview 20 Percentage of Species 10

The State of Our Nation’s Birds 0

The United States is home to a tremendous diversity of native birds, with Arctic Forest Urban Aridland Coastal Wetland Hawaiian Oceanic Grassland more than 800 species inhabiting terrestrial, coastal, and ocean habitats, Habitat including Hawaii. Among these species, 67 are federally listed as endan- gered or threatened. An additional 184 are species of conservation concern Hawaiian Birds in Crisis because of their small distribution, high threats, or declining populations. More than one-third of all U.S. listed bird species occur in Hawaii and 71 Successful conservation requires information about the population status bird species have gone extinct since humans colonized the islands in about of every species to ensure the survival of endangered birds and to manage 300 AD. At least 10 more birds have not been seen in as long as 40 years and common species so they never become threatened. This report presents a may be extinct. Proven conservation measures are urgently needed to avert new synthesis of major bird-monitoring databases, including data from this global tragedy, including increasing investment in protecting remaining thousands of citizen scientists and professional biologists. We used data forests, eliminating exotic predators, and captive breeding. from three continentwide monitoring programs to create bird population indicators for major U.S. habitats, reflecting the health of these habitats and the environmental services they provide. These habitat indicators are based Declining Seabirds Signal Stressed Oceans on the population changes of obligate species—those that are restricted to a At least 39% of the U.S. birds restricted to ocean habitats are declining. single habitat and are most sensitive to environmental changes. We supple- These birds face threats from pollution, over-fishing, and warming sea tem- mented this information with data from many other surveys that focus peratures caused by climate change, as well as threats at island and coastal on species that are rare, endangered, or difficult to monitor, such as ocean nesting sites. Declining seabirds may be our most visible indication of an birds. (See pages 33–34 for methods.) ocean ecosystem under stress.

4 High Concern for Coastal Shorebirds Forest Birds Face an Uncertain Future Although some coastal birds are increasing, shorebirds that rely on coastal Although forest birds have fared better overall than birds in other habi- habitats for breeding and refueling on migration are besieged by human tats, many species have suffered steep declines and remain threatened by disturbance and dwindling food supplies. Sea level rise caused by acceler- unplanned and sprawling urban development, unsustainable logging, ating climate change will inundate shoreline habitats. Half of all coastally increased severity of wildfires, and a barrage of exotic forest pests and migrating shorebirds have declined; for example, Red Knots have declined diseases. by an alarming 82%. Because of their relatively small and highly threatened global populations, shorebirds are of high conservation concern. Conservation Successes for Endangered and Common Birds Wetland Birds Show Amazing Resilience The will of our nation to prevent extinction and reverse environmental The upward trend for wetland birds in the U.S. is a testament to the amaz- degradation is exemplified by the remarkable recovery of the Bald , ing resilience of bird populations where the health of their habitat is sus- Peregrine Falcon, and other bird populations after the banning of DDT and tained or restored. The overwhelming success of waterfowl management, other harmful pesticides. Targeted conservation programs for listed species coordinated continentally among Canada, the United States, and Mexico, remain necessary, and proactive measures involving voluntary partnerships can serve as a model for conservation in other habitats. between local, state, tribal, and federal government, nongovernmental or- ganizations, and private citizens are needed to maintain the integrity of U.S. Bird Population Indicators habitats and to keep our common birds common. 60 Over the last two decades, unprecedented private-public partnerships, Wetlands Bird population indicators based on called Joint Ventures, have been highly effective at leveraging scarce funds 40 Forests trends for obligate to conserve millions of acres of wetlands and other wildlife habitat. Also, Aridlands species in four major bird conservation initiatives such as Partners in Flight, the U.S. Shorebird 20 Grasslands habitats. Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan

0 have raised awareness and inspired conservation action at continental and regional scales. The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (www. nabci-us.org -20 ) provides opportunities for coordinating these vital activities. Percentage Change

-40 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year

Grasslands and Aridlands: Degraded, Neglected Dramatic declines in grassland and aridland birds signal alarming neglect and degradation of these habitats. Incentives for wildlife-compatible agricultural practices in grasslands and increased protection of fragile desert, sagebrush, and chaparral ecosystems are urgently needed to reverse these declines.

Black Oystercatchers inhabit coastal areas where habitat loss is a threat. Coastal reserves help ensure that oystercatchers and humans can coexist. Ge r r i t Vy n 5 Aridlands Unique Birds of the Aridlands Face Loss and Degradation of Habitat Gr e a t e r Sa g e -Gr o u s e b y Te d Sc h r o e d e r

Consider This: The State of Aridland Birds Birds in Trouble G P Aridlands harbor more than 80 nesting Of 83 aridland-breeding bird species, 39% are spe- Federally listed as g e r

P L

bird species, including many unique cies of conservation concern, including 10 feder- endangered: California y t a v a and beautiful birds found only in ally listed as endangered or threatened. These Condor, (Northern) deserts, sagebrush, or chaparral. species are especially vulnerable because of their Aplomado Falcon, (San Clemente) Loggerhead small ranges or restricted habitat requirements, or Shrike, (Least) Bell’s PP More than 75% of birds that nest only both. in aridlands are declining and 39% Vireo, Black-capped Sixty percent of all aridland species and 76% of all aridland birds are species of Vireo, Golden-cheeked of aridland obligate species have declined. The Warbler. Threatened: conservation concern. Golden-cheeked Warbler aridland birds indicator, based on 17 of 30 obli- (Western) Snowy PP Habitat loss from urban development, gate species with sufficient data, shows a steady Plover, (Coastal) California Gnatcatcher, (Inyo) habitat degradation from overgrazing decline over the past 40 years, to nearly 30% California Towhee, (San Clemente) Sage Sparrow. and invasive plants, and a changing below the baseline value. An additional 13 species, • Endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers depend climate are causing significant including nine species of conservation concern, on ash-juniper woodlands that are being cleared problems for many aridland birds. are not adequately monitored. for agriculture or suburban development in the Texas hill country. P A regional system of protected areas Aridland Birds Indicator P Elf Owl Bendire’s LeConte’s is critically needed to accommodate 60 • Species such as , and thrashers Gilded Flicker increasing development while Aridland Obligates (17) , and are of conservation 40 meeting the habitat requirements for concern because of their small range, known threats, or declining populations. keeping bird populations stable. 20 • Resident game birds that depend on aridlands, 0 including Greater and Gunnison’s sage-grouse Scaled Quail -20 and , have suffered significant Percentage Change declines and are threatened by continued deg- -40 radation of their fragile habitats. About 45% of 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year potential sagebrush habitat has been converted to other habitat types, including agriculture and urban areas.

Aridlands in the U.S. include the Sonoran Desert (shown here), Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Great Basin deserts, and major shrub- scrub ecoregions (coastal California chaparral, Edwards Plateau, y n

V Colorado Plateau). Aridlands are characterized by low annual precipitation with variability from one year to the next. e r r i t G

6 Major Threats production of seeds needed by birds. Improved Reasons for Hope monitoring of bird populations may provide the Endangered Cali- Development and Energy first indications of changes to habitats. fornia Condors and Unplanned and sprawling urban development Aplomado Falcons is by far the greatest threat to aridlands. Some of Solutions have been reintro- our nation’s fastest growing cities are in aridlands duced to areas where

• Proactive conservation measures, such as ensur- u l l i v a n (e.g., Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego). they had been extir-

ing sustainable agriculture and environmentally L . S Coastal sage and chaparral of southern Califor- pated in the United sustainable energy development, are needed to r i a n

nia represent a global biodiversity hotspot with B States. Public lands reverse declines of native aridland birds. numerous threatened or endangered plants and California Condor have provided impor- . About 40% of the area is now urban or • Linking the protected lands system with “smart tant habitats for these suburban, supporting nearly half of California’s growth” in communities will provide oppor- species. Today, 174 condors are flying free, and human population. tunities for people to enjoy birds, as well as for the number grows each year. birds to move and adapt to increasing pressure Energy development and exploration have major Vast areas of public land managed by the Bureau from development. impacts on aridland birds. Poorly planned energy of Land Management and Department of De- infrastructure degrades and fragments habitat and • Immediate, innovative efforts are needed to fense offer opportunities to protect and manage provides conditions favorable for invasive plant encourage the coexistence of agriculture and na- habitats for aridland birds. species. tive birds, including wildlife-compatible grazing practices, maintenance of native habitat patches, Ha r r i s 's Ha w k b y Ge r r i t Vy n Agriculture and Invasive Species and planting native seed mixes in disturbed Invasive nonnative plants are a serious threat areas. to virtually all aridlands. In the Great Basin and • Continual efforts must be made to prevent other areas, more than 17% of remaining sage- invasive plants from spreading in areas most brush is dominated by introduced grasses such affected by wildfire. as cheatgrass. Invasive grasses fuel wildfires that devastate sagebrush and desert plant communi- Beyond Our Borders ties, eliminating native plants that evolved in the absence of fire. More than 50% of aridland birds are permanent Unsustainable livestock ranching practices have residents of the U.S. borderlands. Effective con- degraded habitat and damaged soils, fostering servation requires close collaboration with the areas dominated by nonnative plants. Mexican government and private conservation organizations. Most migratory species winter in Climate Change Mexico and Central America, including the endan- The impact of climate change in aridlands is diffi- gered Golden-cheeked Warbler. New and existing cult to predict, but warmer conditions and chang- international partnerships must be supported to es in precipitation may dramatically affect the ensure the survival of aridland birds.

Unplanned urban growth is by far the greatest threat to aridland birds. A regional system of protected areas can enhance quality of life for people and enable birds to survive.

7 Grasslands America’s Heartland is Home to Our Nation’s Fastest Declining Birds Gr e a t e r Pr a i r i e -Ch i c k e n b y Ge r r i t Vy n

Consider This: The State of Grassland Birds Birds in Trouble D d l a n o PP Grassland birds are a vital part of Of 46 grassland-breeding birds, 48% are spe- Federally listed as endangered: (Northern) North American landscapes. Forty- cies of conservation concern, including 4 with M

eight species nest in U.S. grasslands, populations that are federally endangered. Eight Aplomado Falcon, r e n z t e including ducks, grouse, hawks, and of twelve sparrow species are listed as of con- (Attwater’s) Greater Prairie-Chicken, songbirds. servation concern. Of the 42 grassland species (Masked) Northern with sufficient monitoring data, 23 are declining Bobwhite, (Florida) PP Grassland birds are among the fastest significantly. and most consistently declining Grasshopper Sparrow. The grassland birds indicator, based on data for birds in North America; 48% are of 24 of 25 obligate species, dropped by nearly 40% • Some of the Ameri- Western Meadowlark conservation concern and 55% are from the baseline value, with a slight recovery can landscape’s most showing significant declines. Eastern evident in the last five years. iconic birds are showing steep declines. and Western meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Short- PP Only about 2% of the tallgrass prairie eared Owls Northern Bobwhites Grassland Bird Indicator , and have that existed in the early 1800s still declined by 38–77% since 1968. remains. Although birds may settle 60 Grassland Obligates (24) • Six species that breed in the Great Plains of the in pastures and haylands, frequent 40 haying, burning, and overgrazing can United States and Canada and that winter in 20 Mexico’s Chihuahuan grasslands are show- create “ecological traps” where birds Mountain Plover try to nest but fail to raise their young. ing steep declines of 68–91%: , 0 Sprague’s Pipit, Lark Bunting, Baird’s Sparrow, P Farmland conservation programs Chestnut-collared Longspur, and McCown’s P -20 provide the best hope for birds and Percentage Change Longspur. other wildlife. Agricultural practices -40 • Lesser and Greater prairie-chicken, Sharp-tailed can become more compatible with 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Grouse Northern Bobwhite Northern Year , , and birds, and land can be managed Pintail—all popular game birds—have declined inexpensively for birds with funding from historic levels because of loss and frag- from conservation programs. mentation of grasslands. Lesser Prairie-Chicken is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Native grasslands once stretched across the United States from Canada to Mexico, and east from the Rocky Mountains as far as Ohio. More than 95% of the tallgrass prairie has been converted a t t e r s o n

P to agriculture and other uses. Short- and mixed-grass prairies

u d d So u t h Da k o t a b y ? St r i z i c h continue to be converted to agriculture. J

8 Major Threats birds, especially in areas of row-crop agriculture Reasons for and across the short-grass prairie. Agriculture Hope • Haying, grazing, mowing, and burning can be Grassland birds have declined because of the conducted in ways that are compatible with After recent, alarm- intensification of agriculture, including larger birds, usually at very small cost to the producer. ing declines in some grassland specialists, fields with fewer grassy edges, native weeds, and These costs can be compensated by conservation a v a t y

L Henslow’s insects, as well as the spread of row crops into programs that provide other benefits as well, such as r e g Sparrow drier regions. such as erosion control. G , increases Henslow's Sparrow have resulted from Pastures cannot support many birds if overgrazed, • Wetland conservation programs should con- the Conservation burned too frequently, or burned at the beginning tinue to include adjacent grasslands because Reserve Program and other programs that have of the nesting season or the end of the grass-grow- such areas are valuable for both grassland and restored wildlife habitat. Healthy populations of ing season. wetland birds. these birds will require maintaining or increas- Grasslands in public lands and parks are often • Many national, state, and local parks could be ing acreages and conservation practices. mowed too frequently and kept too short to managed to benefit grassland birds, and new Birds that use wet grass and grass adjacent to provide bird habitat. Open areas are frequently al- acquisitions from willing landowners should be wetlands are doing better than average, per- lowed to revert to forest instead of being managed explored. Management should include a balance haps because these species have been the focus as grassland. of disturbance to eliminate woody vegetation the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Energy and Climate Change while allowing a healthy tall grassland. Reserve Program, conservation easements, and other initiatives. High commodity prices and demand for biofuels contribute to reduced acreage for farm conser- Beyond Our Borders Bo b o l i n k b y Ge r r i t Vy n vation programs, which may reverse the recent More than half of grassland obligate species improvement in grassland bird populations. depend on Canadian prairie habitats, as well as Wind turbines, if improperly sited, can fragment those in the central United States. Chihuahuan grasslands and disrupt nesting activity of game Desert grasslands in Mexico host a wide variety birds such as Lesser Prairie-Chickens. of U.S.-breeding birds in winter, but more than a million acres have been converted to agriculture in Global warming is expected to increase drought the past five years. Ranchlands are often over- conditions in grassland regions, leading to lower grazed, causing desertification. productivity and reduced food supply for birds. Migrants such as Bobolink, Upland and Buff- breasted sandpipers, American Golden-Plover, Solutions and Swainson’s Hawk fly to where • Farm conservation programs remain our best grasslands are being converted to agricultural tool for restoring and maintaining grasslands for production.

Farm conservation programs provide millions of acres of protected grasslands that are essential for the birds in a landscape where little native prairie remains.

9 Spotlight on Resident Game Birds Reasons for Hope Farm Bill programs that result in the retirement Managing Land for Game Birds Helps All Birds of millions of acres of intensely cropped lands offer the greatest hope for the long-term man- Upland game bird hunting in the United States show stable overall populations; however their agement of many resident game birds. Greater generated nearly $2 billion and provided numbers are augmented by captive-breeding and Prairie-Chicken populations have benefited from recreation for nearly 3 million licensed hunters release programs because of demand for recreation- the creation of core grasslands in several states, in 2006. Because management for the 19 native al hunting. and population goals for recovery of Northern resident game bird species falls under the Bobwhite have been written into recent Farm Bill jurisdiction of state wildlife agencies, regional Birds in Trouble initiatives. partnerships such as the Northern Bobwhite By the early 1900s, most Wild Turkey populations Federally listed as endangered: (Attwater’s) Conservation Initiative and North American had been wiped out in North America. As late Grouse Partnership formed so states can work Greater Prairie-Chicken, (Masked) Northern Bob- white. as the Great Depression, fewer than 30,000 Wild together on rangewide management efforts. Turkeys remained in the entire United States. Re- Northern Bobwhite These efforts target landscape-level habitat has declined by 75% over the introduction programs, active management, and changes that benefit both game and non-game past 40 years because of alteration of grassland- regulated hunting have allowed the Wild Turkey species. In addition, volunteer organizations assist shrub communities in pine, agricultural and graz- population to expand to more than 7 million birds management efforts for resident game birds, ing lands where the limiting factor is nesting and by 2008. including the National Wild Turkey Federation, brood-rearing habitat. Sustainable forest management provides forest Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Greater Lesser prairie-chickens Both and are habitat diversity for Ruffed Grouse, which inhabit Ruffed Grouse Society. highly social species that are sensitive to loss and young forest. fragmentation of native grasslands. Encroachment Ge r r i t Vy n The State of by osage orange, western red cedar, and invasive grasses also reduces habitat quality. Resident Game Birds Despite state and federal measures to avoid, mini- Of 19 native resident game bird species, 47% are mize, and mitigate known threats, Greater Sage- species of conservation concern and 2 are federally Grouse continues to be threatened by the spread endangered. Based on the best data from a variety of invasive grass species, degradation and loss of sources, Greater Sage-Grouse, Gunnison’s Sage- of sagebrush habitat from livestock grazing, the Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Lesser Prairie- development of renewable energy, and the spread Chicken, Sooty Grouse, and Northern Bobwhite of West Nile virus. are thought to have declined by more than 50% in Heavy livestock grazing and subsequent inva- the last 40 years, and Scaled Quail have declined by sions of nonnative plants have eliminated under- 33%. For these species, further research is required story flowering plants and grasses from habitat to understand fully the limiting factors. Introduced used by Montezuma Quail in southern Arizona Chukar, Ring-necked Pheasant, and Gray Partridge and northern Mexico.

Cooperative partnerships have implemented Northern Bobwhites have declined by 75% during the past 40 years. landscape-level management benefiting both Recent Farm Bill initiatives game and non-game bird species. include goals for recovery of bobwhite populations.

10 Creating greenspace for birds in cities can help adaptable urban birds as well Exotic Bird Species as migrants stopping over during The most common birds in nearly every urban their long journeys. environment are exotic species introduced from other parts of the world . Exotic species also occur in most natural habitats in North America and many American Robins can thrive have significant negative effects on native birds, in many habitats, including In general, urban-adapted species from eastern other wildlife, and humans . European Starlings can urban yards and parks. forests, especially permanent residents, have damage seed and fruit crops and compete with na- shown stable or increasing populations, whereas Gr e g g Le e migratory birds, such as Common Nighthawk, tive birds for nest cavities . Mute Swans, introduced Chimney Swift, and Wood Thrush, show the same from Eurasia in the 19th century, have displaced Spotlight declining trends as many eastern forest obligates. ducks and geese from wetlands and have over- This suggests that birds living in urban habitats grazed aquatic vegetation . Other exotic birds have on Urban Birds year-round benefit from higher overwinter sur- positive economic impacts, such as Ring-necked vival. In the West, a majority of common urban/ Pheasant, a popular species with hunters . Habitat for Birds and People suburban species are declining, especially birds Of the 17 exotic species considered in this report, native to southwestern aridlands and Pacific Coast some have been established for more than a century Although bird communities in urban environ- forests. ments are often dominated by a few exotic and and now occur across the continent . These birds, The wide variety of native birds that thrive ubiquitous species such as Rock Pigeons and including Rock Pigeon, European Starling, and in urban areas underscores the importance of House Sparrows, a surprising number of native House Sparrow, show stable or declining trends over birds have adapted to life around humans. these artificial habitats to the survival of many bird populations. Creating greenspace in urban the past 40 years . In contrast, populations of some American Robins can thrive in many habitats, environments, landscaping with native plants in recently introduced species are growing, including including lawns with abundant earthworms. Cali- backyards and parks, adopting architecture and Eurasian Collared-Doves, whose abundance and fornia Quail and Abert’s Towhees find suburban lighting systems that reduce collisions, and keep- distribution have increased exponentially since they plantings a suitable substitute for native aridland ing pets indoors will provide the greatest benefit colonized Florida from the Bahamas in the 1970s . habitats. Gulls, vultures, and crows seek abun- to breeding birds and migrants seeking safe places dant food at garbage dumps and along roadsides. to rest and find food during their spectacular The impacts of exotic species on the well-being of Hummingbirds, chickadees, sparrows, finches, journeys. humans and our native flora and fauna are not well woodpeckers, and other birds take advantage of studied . Exotic birds merit bird feeders. Even hawks and owls find increas- Urban Birds Indicator ingly safe nesting sites and abundant prey in our closer monitoring, and 60 careful vigilance will towns and cities. Urban Birds (114) The urban/suburban indicator, based on data for 40 be needed to protect 114 native bird species, shows a steady, strong against negative 20 increase during the past 40 years, driven primar- impacts to our native birds . ily by a small number of highly successful species 0 such as Wild Turkey, Double-crested Cormorant, vultures, gulls, doves, House Finch, and Great- Percentage Change -20 Introduced to the Bahamas in the tailed Grackle. This indicator may represent a 1970s, Eurasian Collared-Doves -40 have spread to Florida and across the sensitive “first alert” to environmental changes 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year United States. from urban and suburban development.

Vi c k i La c k e y 11 Forests Healthy Forests Are Key to the Future of Birds and Our Natural Resources Sc a r l e t Ta n a g e r b y Ge r r i t Vy n G Consider This: The State of Forest Birds recently. Many boreal y r a birds are not well moni- H . R P North America has a tremendous Of 310 forest-breeding birds nationwide, 22% P tored over large parts g r e b n e s o diversity of forests harboring more are species of conservation concern, including of their range, however, than 300 breeding bird species. 11 federally listed as endangered or threatened. reducing our confidence Roughly one-third of all forest-breeding species in this indicator. PP Some forest birds are doing have declined. The overall indicator for obligate well, giving hope for continued forest birds, based on 96 species with adequate Similarly, in subtropical conservation efforts, but roughly data, declined by roughly 10% through 1980, then forests of South Texas one-third of all forest-breeding and Florida, monitoring recovered slightly in recent years (see graph, page Elegant Trogon species have declined. 5). Bird population trends in forests differed across data were insufficient to four geographic regions (see pages 14–15). create a bird population indicator. Many species PP Forests are threatened by unplanned in these regions are known to be expanding their The eastern forests indicator, based on data for 25 and sprawling urban development, range northward, perhaps in response to warming obligate species, declined steadily over the past 40 unsustainable logging, intense temperatures. wildfires following decades of fire years, dropping by nearly 25% since 1968. suppression, overbrowsing by In western forests, the indicator based on 38 Forest Birds Indicator deer, and tree pests and diseases obligate species shows a slightly declining trend; 60 exacerbated by a changing climate. however, monitoring data were unavailable for Eastern (25) 40% of western forest obligates, including 10 spe- 40 Western (38) PP Opportunities abound for forest bird cies of conservation concern. Many western forest Boreal (31) 20 management, including a balance of birds, such as Montezuma Quail, Elegant Trogon, economically viable but sustainable White-headed Woodpecker, and Hermit Warbler, 0 forestry and grazing practices; the are at risk because of their small geographic range

U.S. manages 193 million acres of or small and threatened populations. Percentage Change -20 National Forests. The indicator for boreal forests, based on 31 of 37

i e t y -40 c 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 o obligate species with adequate data, has fluctu-

S Year ated greatly with a generally declining trend over the first 25 years, and then a general increase more i l d e r n e s s W a n d

a r k s P As many as five billion birds Sustainable forestry, landowner incentives for forest fly south from the boreal forest a n a d i a n each fall, according to the Boreal preservation, and urban greenspace initiatives can C Songbird Initiative. Many of protect natural resources and help ensure the these birds spend the winter in

o u r t e s y long-term viability of many forest birds.

C the United States.

12 Major Threats eastern hemlock with extinction within 50 years. Reasons for Hope Development and Disturbance Unnaturally high populations of white-tailed deer Forest-breeding have destroyed the shrubby understory of many raptors, such as Rapid urban growth threatens forests in all eastern forests, contributing to declines in forest- Cooper’s Hawk, Red- regions. Development increased from 15 million nesting birds. shouldered Hawk, to 60 million acres during 1945–2002 and is still and Merlin, as well o n k l i n increasing exponentially. Solutions as tree-nesting Bald The loss of economic incentives for private for- R . C Eagle and Osprey,

• The U.S. manages 193 million acres in 155 h a n e estry has led to the sale and subdivision of forest S have responded industry lands and a rapid rise in second-home National Forests, 80% of which are in western Red-shouldered Hawk positively to protec- and other ex-urban development, causing forest states. By 2008, 13% of forestlands in the west- tion from shooting, loss and fragmentation. ern U.S, 6% in the East, and 26% in Alaska had banning of harmful pesticides, and abundant been set aside in forest reserves. Conservation Decades of unnatural fire suppression have prey in urban areas. of roadless areas and additional reserves and created fuel for more intense fires, dramatically improved management, such as sustainable increasing the acreage burned in recent years (e.g., forestry and grazing practices, would ensure the 9.8 million acres burned in 2006). Historically, long-term viability of many forest birds. natural fires burned large areas of some forest Ce r u l e a n Wa r b l e r b y Gr e g La v a t y types annually, but were less intense. These fires • Sustainable forestry practices improve the were essential for the health of forests and their long-term health of forests. Economically viable wildlife. practices on private lands and incentives for pri- vate landowners can provide a mosaic of forest Resource Use ages and structure to benefit diverse birds and The U.S. harvests 21.2 billion cubic feet of timber prevent development. from forests annually. Harvest increased by 40% • Smart growth and urban greenspace initiatives during 1950–1980, but has declined since 1985. are critical for stemming the tide of suburban More than half of all timber comes from south- sprawl and preserving the integrity and connec- eastern forestlands, 87% of which are privately tivity of forest ecosystems. Incentive programs owned. Only a small portion of timber originates that enable landowners to keep their land as from federal lands, but important forest types forest need to be expanded. such old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska remain available for logging. Beyond Our Borders Invasive Species Half of all forest bird species migrate from breed- Nearly every important tree species is afflicted by ing habitats in the U.S. and Canada to winter in an exotic insect pest or disease, which will likely the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South be exacerbated by a changing climate. Mountain America. Collaborative initiatives involving inter- pine beetle has killed vast areas of western pine national partnerships are essential for successful forests and the hemlock woolly adelgid threatens conservation of these species and their habitats.

The Cerulean Warbler is one of more than 40 species of colorful wood-warblers that breed in U.S. forests. They migrate thousands of miles annually to winter in the Neotropics. Many long- distance migrants are threatened by loss and degradation of forests across the hemisphere.

13 Eastern Forest Western Forest R K r e g o Birds in Trouble Birds in Trouble h t e n n e E i r

Federally listed as endangered: Wood Stork, Federally listed as threatened: Marbled Murre- V c . R Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Red-cockaded Wood- n o s s k let, (Northern) Spotted Owl, (Mexican) Spotted g r e b n e s o pecker, Bachman’s Warbler, Kirtland’s Warbler. Owl, (Southwestern) Willow Flycatcher. Threatened: Florida Scrub-Jay. Several groups of birds are declining: The eastern U.S. has lost two forest species to • Specialized permanent residents, such as Passenger Pigeon Carolina Para- extinction: and Pinyon Jay (threatened by massive die-off of keet Bachman’s Warbler . Hope is dimming for pinyon pines), Oak Titmouse (threatened by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Golden-winged Warbler Lewis’s Woodpecker and . loss of California oak woodlands), and Yellow- Many eastern forest birds are suffering consistent and troubling declines: billed Magpie (threatened by loss of oaks and by West Nile virus). • Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Bachman’s • Temperate migrants dependent on mature pine forests, including Lewis’s Sparrow, year-round residents of mature southern pine forests, especially Woodpecker, Plumbeous Vireo, Grace’s Warbler, and Cassin’s Finch. the highly threatened longleaf pine ecosystem. • Neotropical migrants such as Black Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, and • Neotropical migrants that require large blocks of intact forests, such as Black-throated Gray Warbler. The steeply declining Black Swift is vulner- Kentucky Warbler, Wood Thrush, and Eastern Wood-Pewee. The Ceru- able to increasing drought conditions because it nests behind waterfalls. lean Warbler is threatened by mountaintop-removal coal mining along • Many Pacific forest birds, including Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl, Appalachian ridges and clearing of riverine forests. Olive-sided Flycatcher, Varied Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hum- • Species dependent on disturbed or early successional forest or natural mingbird, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Murrelets and Spotted Owls disturbance (including pine barrens) including the Golden-winged War- require structurally diverse old-growth forests. bler, Whip-poor-will, Prairie Warbler, Eastern Towhee, and Field Spar- row, and popular game species such as Northern Bobwhite and American Reasons for Hope Woodcock. Vast areas of western forests on public lands are Reasons for Hope protected from permanent conversion to other land uses. Improved forest management, such Wild Turkeys were close to extinction in the early as restoring natural fire regimes and fencing i v a u d a i s

1900s but have increased tremendously (8.9% L riparian areas to prevent overgrazing, can benefit per year since 1968) in response to reintroduction many forest birds. a m e s programs, management, and forest regeneration. J y n Spotted Owl V Many characteristic eastern forest birds, includ-

e r r i t ing woodpeckers, chickadees, hawks, and owls, G Wild Turkey have adapted to urban and suburban plantings and parks, buffering them from the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation.

An eastern deciduous forest turns ablaze Redwood and Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific with color in fall. Eastern forests include Coast are some of the tallest forests in the northern hardwood and other mixed forests world. Western forests also include conifer, of the Northeast and upper Midwest, pine-oak, and pinyon-juniper forests of the oak-hickory and other deciduous forests of mountains, riparian ribbons of deciduous forest the Appalachians, coastal plain, and river along major rivers, and oak woodlands. y n y n

V valleys, and southeastern longleaf and V slash pine forests. e r r i t e r r i t G G 14 Boreal Forest Subtropical Forest J M a c k r a k

Birds in Trouble B Birds in Trouble K i a m o l o h t r a

Federally listed as endangered: Whooping Federally listed as endangered: Wood Stork. y l h t i e Crane. Threatened: (Audubon’s) Crested Caracara. • Lesser Scaup and White-winged Scoter nest • Smooth-billed Ani in Florida and Groove- in boreal forests and winter in coastal regions; billed Ani in Texas have declined dramatically both have declined by more than 50% in 40 for unknown reasons. years. • Other less-common species of the Rio Grande • The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan identi- Rusty Blackbird Valley, such as Altamira and Audubon’s Altamira Oriole fies four boreal-nesting species that are of high orioles, also have declined, possibly due to conservation concern: Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, Solitary Sandpiper, Bronzed and Brown-headed cowbirds that lay eggs in the orioles’ nests. and Short-billed Dowitcher. Lesser Yellowlegs and Least Sandpiper also

are experiencing long-term declines. e

Reasons for Hope w • Harris’s Sparrow and Rusty Blackbird are temperate migrants that winter r o Couch’s Kingbird, Long-billed C

entirely within the U.S.; causes of their steep declines have yet to be de- a m Thrasher Olive Sparrow S termined (Rusty Blackbirds have declined by 75% in 40 years). , and are among many species that • Birds that periodically come south in winter, such as Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Siskin White-winged Crossbill Evening Grosbeak are moving northward in Texas, , , and , have experi- perhaps in response to warming enced long-term declines. temperatures. • Many Neotropical migrants show consistent declines, including boreal Acquisition and restoration ef- specialists such as Blackpoll Warbler, Cape May Warbler, and Connecticut Warbler forts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife . Service, the state of Texas, The Nature Conservancy, and Nation- Reasons for Hope al Audubon Society have created a string of protected areas along Boreal wetland birds such as Common Gold- the Lower Rio Grande that are eneye, Bufflehead, and Bonaparte’s Gull have vital to many subtropical forest increased. Management efforts for Trumpeter specialists. The newly formed Rio Swans throughout their historic range have been Grande Joint Venture is a public- Green Jay

i m o n highly successful.

S private partnership striving to protect and restore additional remnant e b Vast areas of virgin boreal forest still remain, pre- D forests in south Texas and northeastern Mexico. senting opportunities for large-scale conservation. Trumpeter Swan Nearly all of south Florida’s remaining subtropical forests are protected In 2007 and 2008, Ontario and Quebec promised within Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Reserve. to protect more than 120 million acres of Canada’s boreal forest—one of the largest conservation actions in North American history if implemented. G K h t e n n e h t r a The boreal forest stretches south from the arctic A forest of live oaks in Tree Tops Park,

tundra across an area larger than the Amazon L Florida. Subtropical forests in the z n e V

rainforest, a blanket of spruces, birch, peat bogs, and United States occur only in south . R

other wetlands. Occurring mostly within Canada, Texas (Tamaulipan thorn forest) and in g r e b n e s o the North American boreal forest extends into the peninsular Florida (bald cypress and United States in Alaska, in states bordering the hardwood hammocks). Great Lakes, and in northern New England.

15 Arctic & Alpine Key Nesting Areas Are Threatened by Global Warming and Energy Development Sn o w y Ow l b y Ge r r i t Vy n

Consider This: The State of Arctic Birds in Trouble G PP Millions of birds travel from around and Alpine Birds Federally listed as t i r r e the globe to the arctic each year. endangered: Eskimo V Of the 85 species that breed in arctic and alpine Curlew. Threatened: n y Eighty-five bird species rely on regions, 38% are of conservation concern, includ- the arctic’s long summer days and Spectacled Eider, ing 3 federally listed as endangered or threatened. Steller’s Eider. abundant insect prey to raise their The arctic and alpine indicator, based on 27 obli- young. • In arctic Canada, the gate species, has increased steadily over the past Ivory Gull 40 years. Dramatic increases in four arctic-nesting has de- PP Because the arctic is vast and remote, geese contribute to this overall trend. Because of clined dramatically in data are lacking for many species. Ivory Gull the remoteness of these regions, however, the indi- the last decade. This Some birds, such as geese and gulls, enigmatic and beauti- seem to be faring well, but many cator represents only 46% of obligate arctic and al- pine species. A group of 10 landbird species shows ful species depends on arctic sea ice for feeding, shorebirds and landbirds are showing and is especially vulnerable to global warming. worrisome declines. a declining trend over the same period, with steepest declines evident in alpine-nesting rosy- • Arctic-breeding ducks that winter in marine PP Disturbance to tundra from energy finches. Some sea ducks and many shorebirds waters have declined. The nonbreeding dis- exploration and changes caused by are also declining; two-thirds of all arctic-nesting tribution of threatened Spectacled Eider was global warming are affecting the shorebirds are species of conservation concern. unknown until recent satellite imagery revealed birds’ food base and transforming important concentrations in arctic waters off arctic habitats. Arctic-breeding birds Arctic and Alpine Bird Indicator Alaska. also face numerous threats during 60 • At least 38% of arctic-nesting shorebirds are de- extensive spring and fall migrations. Arctic Obligates (27) creasing and population trends are unknown for 40 Arctic Landbirds (10) 25%. A monitoring program to assess shorebird PP Reducing emissions is critical to 20 populations is critically needed. slow global climate change, which is already affecting the arctic. Energy 0 Arctic-Nesting Geese development and transportation plans 1,300

Percentage Change -20 should incorporate the conservation Arctic Geese (4)

needs of birds. -40 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year 800

Alaska's arctic coastal plain tundra includes some of

the world's most productive wetlands for migratory Percentage Change 300 shorebirds and waterfowl. The arctic region also y n 0

V includes drier northern uplands and treeless alpine 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 areas on mountaintops. Year e r r i t G

16 Major Threats minimize effects on breeding birds from oil The future of arctic habitats and birds spills and other hazards, and include adequate depends on our ability to curb global Climate Change disaster responses. climate change and to explore energy Warming temperatures are more extreme at the • A system of protected areas in productive re- resources with minimal impact to wildlife. poles than in other places on earth. Thawing per- gions of the arctic is needed to ensure that birds mafrost in the southern arctic is lowering the wa- have areas to use as conditions change in the ter table and drying out coastal tundra supporting arctic. the highest densities of breeding shorebirds and • Management actions continue to be needed to waterfowl. control the overpopulation of geese that nega- Warming temperatures may cause a mismatch tively affect the habitat for other species such as between the timing of nesting and availability of shorebirds. food. Melting sea ice cover will affect seabirds, • As arctic birds respond to a changing climate, such as Ivory Gull, by causing shifts in their increased monitoring efforts will be required in marine food resources. Changes to vegetation and areas that are difficult to access, to determine snowpack could affect lemmings, important prey population redistribution and impacts, and to for Snowy Owls and other birds. develop conservation strategies. Energy Oil exploration and production threaten major Beyond Our Borders areas of great importance to arctic-breeding birds. Most arctic and alpine breeding birds have large Arctic warming will make it easier to develop off- populations in Canada, and some also inhabit shore energy facilities and to transport products, arctic Europe and Asia. Birds that breed in the increasing the risk of fuel spills that kill or harm arctic may winter in habitats from South America birds. to southern Canada, so protection of international Development and Disturbance wintering and migratory areas is essential. Of 51 shorebird species that breed in northern North Predators that thrive near human development, America, substantial populations of 40 species such as arctic foxes and gulls, prey on the eggs (78%) winter in Latin America, Asia, Australia, and young of ground-nesting birds. Predators Polynesia, and Europe. introduced to islands can devastate bird populations. Reason for Hope Solutions Oil and gas leasing has been deferred • Reducing emissions is the only direct way to for 10 years around slow effects of global climate change. Better Alaska's Teshekpuk monitoring is needed to understand the effects Lake, which supports

of climate change on arctic wildlife. y n high densities of V • Energy and commercial development plans breeding shorebirds e r r i t

should avoid key breeding and staging areas, G and large numbers of Buff-breasted Sandpiper molting geese.

Lo n g -t a i l e d Ja e g e r b y Ge r r i t Vy n 17 Wetlands Wetlands Restoration: A Model for Bird Conservation

Gr e e n He r o n b y St e v e Wo l f e

Consider This: The State of Wetland Birds Birds in Trouble M PP Nearly one-quarter of all U.S. birds Of 163 bird species that breed in freshwater wet- Federally listed as en- e n n a i r a rely on freshwater wetlands, including lands, 24% are species of conservation concern, dangered: Wood Stork,

(Everglades) Snail D

more than 50 shorebird species, 17 including 10 federally listed as endangered or i A

long-legged waders, and 44 species threatened. Half of the remaining high-concern Kite, (Yuma) Clapper o i n o t n , Whooping Crane, of ducks, geese, and swans. species are shorebirds that breed in the arctic, (Mississippi) Sandhill boreal forest, or grasslands. The wetland birds Crane, Piping Plover, PP Wetland bird populations are well indicator, based on data for 139 species, shows a below historic levels but management Least Tern. Threat- steady increase beginning in the late 1970s, coin- ened: Spectacled Eider, and conservation measures have ciding with major policy shifts from draining to Wood Stork contributed to increases of many Steller’s Eider, Bald protecting wetlands. Dramatic increases in many Eagle (Sonoran Desert population only). wetland birds, including hunted wetland generalist species, as well as arctic-nest- Green Heron Spotted Sandpiper waterfowl. ing geese and cavity-nesting ducks, contribute to • and are among this overall trend. the few wetland generalists that show long- PP Degradation and destruction of term declines. Other declining wetland species wetlands reduce clean water and Wetland Birds Indicator include prairie-nesting Franklin's Gull and Black other benefits to society and eliminate Tern 60 , southeastern marsh specialists such as critical areas needed by wetland birds. King Rail White-winged Scoters Wetland Species (139) , boreal-nesting , 40 Lesser Yellowlegs, and Rusty Blackbirds, and P Bird-related conservation programs P many arctic-nesting shorebirds. have contributed significantly to the 20 restoration of wetlands. For example, • See pages 9, 15, and 16 for more information on “Duck Stamps” and the North 0 wetland birds in grasslands, boreal forests, and American Wetlands Conservation Act arctic habitats.

Percentage Change -20 have generated billions of dollars and protected nearly 30 million acres. -40 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year

More than half of our nation's original wetlands have been Although many wetland birds show troubling declines, o s e n b e r g drained or converted to other

. R conservation programs have protected millions of acres

V uses. Many wetlands are within other habitats, such as and contributed to thriving populations of herons, egrets, grasslands, boreal forest, and e n n e t h hunted waterfowl, and other birds. K arctic tundra. 18 Major Threats and enforcement of regulations, have enabled Reasons for Hope private landowners to maintain agriculture and Our national bird, Agriculture timber production while managing wetlands. the , Excessive chemicals, nutrients, and sediments • Increasingly, hunting leases, bird watching, recovered from from unsustainable agriculture can disrupt the and ecotourism are providing landowners with near extinction in function of wetlands, dramatically reducing clean economic opportunities that are enhanced by the lower 48 states water and other environmental benefits, and management of quality wetlands. u i t e r after protection from S eliminating critical areas needed by wetland birds. • Land purchases can be the most secure form of shooting, restora- i l b e r

Disturbance wetlands conservation. With more than 96 mil- W tion of wetlands, lions acres on 548 refuges, the National Wildlife Bald Eagle and banning of DDT Impacts of floods and drought on wetland birds Refuge System is our nation’s only public land and other harmful are exacerbated by degradation from stream base dedicated solely to the conservation and pesticides. Most Bald Eagle populations were channelization, construction of levees, dikes, and protection of wildlife, with a high priority for removed from listing under the Federal Endan- dams, depositing of fill, and unsustainable for- migratory birds. This network can be increased gered Species Act in 2007, after three decades of estry practices. in key areas. conservation work to restore the species. Energy and Climate Change • Small wetlands need special attention because Wetlands management and restoration also Rising corn prices and conversion of wetlands and of their vulnerability to conversion during have contributed to thriving populations of American adjacent grasslands for biofuel production threat- droughts and their noteworthy value to wet- many wetland generalists, including White Pelican Double-crested Neotropic ens the nesting habitat of several duck species and lands birds. , and cormorants Osprey Sandhill other birds in the Prairie Pothole region. , herons, egrets, , Beyond Our Borders Crane, Black-necked Stilt, gulls, and kingfish- Global climate change will degrade wetlands, af- ers. fecting birds and other wildlife. Warming temper- The U.S. shares many wetland breeding bird popu- atures and more storms, droughts, and floods will A majority of colonial-nesting wading birds, lations with Canada. In addition, many water- such as egrets, herons, and White Ibis, continue cause unpredictable changes in hydrology, plant birds from arctic, boreal, and grassland regions of communities, and prey abundance. to recover from populations devastated by the the United States migrate to Latin American and plume trade and market hunting in the early Caribbean countries for the winter. Continental 20th century. Once nearly confined to rookeries Solutions programs such as the North American Waterfowl in south Florida, many of these species have Management Plan provide a solid foundation to • Widespread public education efforts and expanded west into Louisiana and Texas, and expand vital international cooperation. government regulations helped reverse the north along the Atlantic Coast.

loss of wetlands starting in the 1970s. Continu- Os p r e y b y Ja m e s Li v a u d a i s ing education about the value of wetlands and management techniques are vital for successful landowner incentive programs. • Creative policies based on incentives and regu- lation, such as the Wetlands Reserve Program

19 Spotlight on Waterfowl Successful waterfowl conservation in North America is a model for wide- Conservation Partnerships Produce Results! spread habitat protection that has reversed declines of many bird species. The rich tradition of waterfowl hunting in North planning, collaboration, and persistence, we can America has ensured a sustainable population of conserve and restore wetland habitats for the ben- waterfowl across the continent. Federal Migratory efit of both wildlife and future generations. Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (“Duck Birds in Trouble Stamps”), purchased primarily by hunters, have The State of Our Nation’s provided more than $700 million for wetlands Federally listed as threatened: Spectacled Eider, conservation. The North American Wetlands Con- Waterfowl Steller’s Eider. servation Act (NAWCA), enacted in 1989, set the Among 44 species of ducks, geese, and swans, Significant declines ofNorthern Pintail and Lesser stage for creative partnership funding to protect 2 are listed as federally threatened and 2 are Scaup represent continued challenges for water- vital wetlands. In an unparalleled conservation of conservation concern (Emperor Goose and fowl management. Pintail numbers dropped to 2.6 partnership among Canada, the United States, and Trumpeter Swan). The waterfowl indicator, based million in 2008, 36% below the long-term average. Mexico, NAWCA partners have raised more than on 39 hunted species, has increased steadily over $3 billion dollars and have conserved nearly 25 Although not as well monitored as other species, the past 40 years, reflecting the success of man- King Eider White- million acres of wetlands and associated upland several “sea ducks” such as , agement efforts. Many ducks, such as Mallard, winged Scoter Long-tailed Duck habitats. , and appear to be Gadwall, Wood Duck, and Redhead, show stable declining—perhaps reflecting increasing threats in Waterfowl habitat conservation in North America or increasing populations, and most arctic-nesting their coastal wintering habitats. serves as an example for other conservation geese, as well as Trumpeter Swans, have increased challenges and offers hope that through synergy, dramatically. Reintroduced populations of resi- dent Canada Geese in the lower 48 states have Reasons for Hope been so successful that the geese have become a In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimat- problem in many urban areas. However, a few ed that there were 37.3 million breeding ducks, an duck populations, notably Lesser Scaup, Northern increase of 11% above historical averages through Pintail, and several sea ducks, continue to show 2007. Redheads reached a record high and esti- troubling declines. mates for the Green-winged Teal were the second highest on record. Changes in precipitation, land Waterfowl Indicator use, and management practices encouraged by 200 the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Waterfowl (39 hunted species) have contributed to recent waterfowl recoveries. 150 Ross’s Goose was estimated at only 2,000 to 3,000

100 individuals in 1931, prior to stringent hunting regulation. After regulation, the population recov-

0 ered to 188,000 breeding birds in 1988, and growth

Percentage Change continues. Most other arctic-nesting geese have

-100 increased dramatically as well. 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Wood Ducks have responded well to nest-box Year programs throughout their range; populations increased by more than 200% in the past 40 years.

Lo n g -t a i l e d Du c k s b y Ge r r i t Vy n 20 Spotlight on Birds in Trouble Everglades National Park protects the largest Federally listed as endangered: Snail Kite. freshwater wetland in the United States; recent efforts to restore the greater Everglades ecosystem Marsh Birds Marsh-nesting birds of Midwest prairies, such represent one of the largest conservation initia- as Horned, Eared, and Clark’s Grebe, Cinnamon Secretive Marsh Birds Require Teal, Franklin’s Gull, Clapper Rail, and Black Tern tives in U.S. history. Although populations of Closer Monitoring have shown population declines that are probably many wading birds remain well below historic es- linked to loss and degradation of wetlands. timates in the Everglades, several species, such as White Ibis, have benefited from the conservation Thirty-three wetland bird species, including Several southeastern marsh specialists, notably King Rail Purple Gallinule effort there. The endangered Florida population of ducks, grebes, bitterns, and rails, depend on and , also have experi- Snail Kite (the “Everglades Kite”) has responded emergent vegetation in freshwater marshes for enced steep declines. Migratory populations of King Rail well to conservation efforts, reaching a population breeding. Many widespread marsh-nesting birds are listed as endangered or threatened have shown stable or increasing populations over by most states within its northern range. of 685 individuals in 2008. the past 40 years, but marsh specialists in the Marshes respond quickly to management and res- Midwest and Southeast have suffered declines. Reasons for Hope toration efforts, and small but productive marshes Widespread marsh species, such as Pied-billed can support very large numbers of birds. Wetland The State of Marshland Birds Grebe, Least Bittern, Virginia Rail, and Common restoration projects, such as Wakodahatchee in Moorhen can take advantage of small or ephem- Florida and Sweetwater Wetlands in Arizona, are Of the 33 obligate marsh species, 21% are species eral wetlands and have maintained stable range- a mecca for waterbirds, as well as for bird watch- of conservation concern, including the federally wide populations over the past 40 years. ers and wildlife photographers. endangered Snail Kite and freshwater races of Clapper Rail. Other birds of high concern include Yellow Rail, Black Rail, and King Rail. For 31 spe- cies with adequate data, the marsh bird indicator shows a steady decline until about 1990, followed by wide fluctuations over the last two decades, perhaps reflecting precipitation patterns. Because many marsh birds are notoriously difficult to detect, the indicator may not accurately reflect the status of these populations.

Marsh Birds Indicator 60 Marsh Obligates (31) 40 Marshes respond

20 quickly to management 0 and restoration

Percentage Change -20 efforts, and even small marshes -40 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year can support large numbers of birds.

Co m m o n Mo o r h e n b y Cl a r k Ru s h i n g 21 Coasts Where Land Meets Sea, Coastal Protection Offers Hope for Birds Co m m o n Mu r r e s b y Ge r r i t Vy n

Consider This: The State of Coastal Birds Birds in Trouble B Federally listed as l l i PP Although coastal areas occupy less Of 173 bird species that use coastal habitats at D than 10% of our nation’s land area, any time of year, 53 are species of conservation endangered: Brown n o t l a they support a large proportion of our concern and 14 are federally listed as endangered Pelican, Wood Stork, living resources, including more than or threatened. Fourteen of twenty-seven shore- (California) Clapper Rail, (Light-footed) Clapper 170 bird species. bird species that primarily use coastal habitats have Rail, Whooping Crane, declined. P Generalist birds, such as gulls, (California) Least Tern, P Based on 50 species that winter exclusively in have been extremely successful in Roseate Tern, (Cape coastal habitats, the indicator shows a steady developed areas, but specialized Sable) Seaside Sparrow. increase over the past 40 years, to roughly 20% Least Tern species, such as migrating shorebirds, Threatened: Spectacled above the 1968 baseline. Large increases in Com- Eider, Steller’s Eider, Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, have declined. mon Eider, Northern Gannet, Laughing, Heer- Marbled Murrelet. PP Coastal habitats continue to suffer mann’s, and Western gulls, contribute to this • Plovers, terns, and other beach-nesting birds from unplanned and unsustainable overall trend. Sea ducks, such as King Eider and are vulnerable to people and pets who inadver- housing development, pollution, and White-winged Scoter, as well as wintering shore- tently destroy or disturb nests. Wilson’s Plovers warming oceans caused by climate birds such as Wandering Tattler and Purple and have declined by 78% in 40 years. With a U.S. change. Rock sandpipers, have shown steep declines. population of about 6,000, they are vulnerable to development and catastrophic hurricanes. PP The USFWS National Wildlife Refuge Wintering Coastal Bird Indicator • Small populations of coastal marsh birds, such System manages extensive public 60 lands in coastal zones. At least Wintering Coastal (50) as rails and sparrows, are vulnerable to habitat 161 coastal refuges may be at risk 40 loss and degradation from pollution and chang- ing water levels that affect feeding areas and because of ongoing and predicted sea 20 plant cover. Seaside and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed level rises. sparrows 0 are found only in coastal saltmarshes of eastern North America. Percentage Change -20 • Common Murres are still one of the most nu- -40 merous seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere, 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007 Year but local populations can be severely reduced by climate change, disturbance, fishing, intro- duced nest predators, and oil spills. They have Coastal ecosystems include declined by 76% over the past 40 years. coastlines, nearshore islands, • East Coast populations of Red Knots have de- nearshore waters, estuaries, and Semipalmated Sand- y n tidally-influenced sections of clined by an alarming 82%. V rivers and creeks—productive piper, Sanderling, and Dunlin have also shown

e r r i t habitats for abundant wildlife. dramatic declines. G

22 Major Threats Global climate change causes sea level rise, Reasons for Hope increased storm surge events, changes in marsh Since 1990, under Development distribution, and changes in the food resources the Federal Coastal for some birds. In the Southeast, rising sea levels Nearly half of the U.S. population lives and works Grants Program, in the next century are expected to flood 30% of in coastal areas, with resident populations expect- about $183 million habitat in National Wildlife Refuges. ed to increase by 25 million people by 2015. More in grants have been than 180 million people visit the shore for recre- Additionally, birds nesting on beaches and near- awarded to acquire, g i lv i e ation every year. These recreational uses often shore islands suffer from some of the same threats O protect or restore

conflict with the needs of birds and other wildlife. a n e as island birds, including and habitat J more than 250,000 Conversion of marsh to open water from dredg- damage from invasive species (see page 26). Brown Pelican acres of coastal wet- ing, water control, boat traffic, and a changing lands. climate have caused 93% of the coastal habitat loss Solutions The U.S. Department of Interior Ocean and that occurred from 1998 to 2004. Coastal Activities Implementation Plan provides • Federal or state incentives can encourage coastal better integration of coastal habitat management Resource Use management benefiting people and wildlife. programs across agencies with ocean, coastal, Neighboring communities can cooperate to re- Red Knots and other shorebirds depend on horse- and Great Lakes stewardship. strict sprawling development and create green- shoe crab eggs for food. Overharvesting of horse- Brown Pelican shoe crabs during the past decade has reduced the ways and natural areas. Fish-eating birds, such as and Northern Gannet, rebounded after the pesticide density of crab eggs along the eastern seashore • Incentives can be developed to create seaside DDT was banned in the U.S. by up to 99%, which is believed to be a principal preserves such as the Cape Cod National Sea- cause of steep declines of many shorebird species. shore, with private or public ownership and Whooping Cranes wintering in and around the Diving birds such as loons, grebes, gannets, ducks, local, state, or federal management. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas have increased from 15 birds in 1941 to 266 in 2008, and shearwaters die from entanglement in fishing • Nest sites can be protected from unintentional the result of successful endangered species con- gill nets. Overfishing of forage fish (e.g., menha- disturbance by fencing and other measures. servation and management. den along the Atlantic Coast) and bycatch of fish • Sustainable fishing will prevent overharvest (e.g., in small-mesh shrimp trawls) may deplete of important food sources for birds, including food needed by fish-eating birds. horseshoe crabs. Sa l t m a r s h Sh a r p -t a i l e d Sp a r r o w b y Ke n n e t h V. Ro s e n b e r g Pollution and Climate Change From 1998 to 2002, sediments in about half of es- Beyond Our Borders tuaries in the U.S. had one or more contaminants Many of our nation’s coastal birds spend part exceeding benchmarks for “possible or probable of the year in Canada, Mexico, and Central and adverse effects” on aquatic life. Excess nutrients South America. The international Western Hemi- from agricultural runoff deplete oxygen in coastal sphere Shorebird Reserve Network is vital to the waters, forcing fish, shrimp, crabs, and the birds conservation of these long-distance travelers. that feed on them to move from the area or die. Oil spills, as well as chronic pollution from bilge pumping, outboard engines, and mishandling Half of all coastally migrating of petroleum products, kill untold numbers of shorebirds have declined, indicating coastal birds and can be linked to declining or stress in coastal habitats besieged depressed local populations of birds such as Com- mon Murres and Marbled Murrelets. by development, disturbance, and dwindling food supplies.

23 Oceans Far at Sea: Birds Face Hazards from Fishing, Pollution, and Altered Food Supplies

Bl a c k -f o o t e d Al b a t r o s s b y Br i a n L. Su l l i v a n Consider This: The State of Ocean Birds Birds in Trouble B n a i r PP At least 81 bird species inhabit our Of 81 ocean bird species, almost half are of Federally listed as en- nation’s marine waters, spending their conservation concern, including 4 that are feder- dangered: Short-tailed L . S lives at sea and returning to islands ally listed as endangered or threatened. Based on Albatross, Hawaiian n a v i l l u and coasts to nest. available data, 39% of ocean bird species are de- Petrel. Threatened: (Newell’s) Townsend’s clining, 37% stable, and 12% increasing. Too little Shearwater, Marbled PP At least 39% of bird species in U.S. data exist to determine the population trends for Murrelet. marine waters are believed to be 12% of ocean birds. There were insufficient data declining, but data are lacking for to generate an indicator similar to those presented • Mortality from many species. Improved monitoring is for other habitats in this report, so trend categories incidental capture in Black-capped Petrel imperative for conservation. were based on a variety of data sets and expert commercial fisheries opinion. (bycatch) is the most significant source of mor- PP Ocean birds travel through waters tality for Black-footed and Laysan albatrosses, of many nations and are increasingly Trends for Ocean Bird Species both species of high conservation concern. threatened by fishing bycatch, 40% • The Black-capped Petrel nests locally in the pollution, problems on breeding Apparent Biologically significant Caribbean and forages off the eastern U.S. sea- grounds, and food supplies altered by 30% rising ocean temperatures. board, but little is known about the population size or threats to this rare species. 20% PP The health of our oceans and wildlife • The Ashy Storm-Petrel faces threats at its nest-

will improve with policies that address in Category 10% ing colonies in southern California and Baja sustainable fishing, changes in food California. In marine foraging areas, it is vulner- Percentage of Species supply, and pollution. 0% able to contaminants, petroleum products, and Decline Stable Increase Unknown plastics encountered while foraging.

Oceans may appear homogeneous Nearly half of ocean birds in the U.S. are of conservation but are composed of distinct

u l l i v a n habitats created by massive concern, indicating deteriorating ocean conditions. circulating currents. Human L . S Management policies and sustainable fishing regulations are activity has affected the health

r i a n essential to ensure the health of our oceans.

B of our oceans even far from land.

24 Major Threats Solutions Resource Use • Fisheries laws provide the platform to ensure a sustainable ocean environment and can include Overfishing by humans reduces and alters the provisions to reduce bycatch, orient marine fish- food supply for many seabirds. ery policy toward ecosystem management, and Longline fisheries worldwide unintentionally separate conservation and allocation decisions. injure and drown as many as 60 bird species, espe- • International efforts, such as the Agreement on cially surface-feeding seabirds such as albatrosses. the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, can Pollution set a standard for cooperative management of seabirds. Pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and oil harm ocean birds. Major oil spills kill thousands of • Coordinated, regionwide programs are needed birds, but small spills and chronic releases from to collect, assess, and distribute data to better boats and ports also cause significant harm. assess the status of seabird populations. Many seabirds consume floating plastic and may • Increased monitoring of ocean birds and their feed it to their chicks. Ninety percent of Laysan food base are essential to measure change in Albatrosses surveyed on the Hawaiian Islands ocean health and help develop more effective had plastic debris in their stomachs. conservation actions. Climate Change Reasons for Hope Sea-surface temperatures have risen up to 4 Regulations and degrees Fahrenheit in the North Sea and are voluntary measures expected to continue increasing across the world’s to minimize bycatch oceans, affecting important food sources for ocean have been estab- birds. lished for U.S. fisher- Breeding failures of some seabirds in northern u l l i v a n ies in Alaska and latitudes have been attributed in part to increased L . S Hawaii, resulting in pests and diseases that survive in warmer winters. r i a n

B significant decreases Kittlitz’s Murrelet population declines probably Laysan Albatross in ocean bird mor- result from cyclical changes in the oceanic envi- tality, especially for ronment and glacial melting, affecting their ability Black-footed, Laysan, and Short-tailed alba- to find food. tross. In addition to the threats noted above, ocean birds The recent protection of 335,561 square miles in face challenges on their nesting grounds including four Marine National Monuments will greatly development, disturbance, invasive species, and improve the health of our oceans, benefiting sea level rise. (See pages 22 and 26.) people as well as birds and other ocean life.

The Black-footed Albatross, a species of conservation concern, wanders the North Pacific for most of the year and returns to remote islands to breed.

Bl a c k -f o o t e d Al b a t r o s s b y Br i a n L. Su l l i v a n 25 Spotlight on the Birds of the Hawaiian Islands after becoming confused by bright lights. Downed shearwaters often die of exhaustion, are hit by The Race to Save Hawaiian Birds cars, or are killed by predators. Reasons for Hope More bird species are vulnerable to extinction in Nearly all native Hawaiian forest birds are declin- Endangered Laysan Hawaii than anywhere else in the United States. ing, their populations devastated by nonnative Ducks, numbering 600 Before the arrival of humans, the Hawaiian disease-carrying mosquitoes, predators, feral cat- on Laysan Island, have

Islands supported 113 bird species unique in the tle and pigs, and loss of habitat. The Palila, found o m c . been translocated to world, including flightless geese, ibis, rails, and 59 only on the Big Island, has declined from 6,600 Midway Atoll, where species of Hawaiian honeycreepers. birds in 2003 to 2,200 in 2008. The `Akikiki and the population now Since humans arrived, 71 bird species have be- `Akeke`e of have also declined dramatically effreyphoto j exceeds 200 after just a k

come extinct and 31 more are federally listed as since 1970 and are proposed for listing under the c a

j few years. threatened or endangered. Of these, 10 have not Endangered Species Act. `Akiapōlā`au Population growth been seen in as long as 40 years and may be ex- Exotic plants and diseases can wreak havoc on na- of forest birds such tinct. Humans have introduced many bird species tive habitats. Golden crownbeard is overwhelming as Hawai`i Creeper and `Akiapōlā`au has been from other parts of the world: 43% of 157 species the breeding habitat of Black-footed and Laysan dramatic in the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife are not native. Among landbirds, 69% are intro- albatrosses in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Refuge, where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service duced species. `Ohia rust threatens one of the most important food is fencing to exclude feral , aggressively plants of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers. managing invasive plants, and replanting Birds in Trouble Seabirds that nest on islands, including the endangered plants. Application of these successful

j endangered Hawaiian Petrel, face severe threats a methods is urgently needed elsewhere. c

Federally listed as en- k

j from feral cats and other introduced species, and o t o h p y e r f f e were eradicated from Midway Atoll in 1997, dangered: Short-tailed habitat damage by feral ungulates. Albatross, Hawaiian resulting in an increase of Bonin Petrels from an Petrel, Nēnē, Hawaiian Since 1979, approximately 30,000 Newell’s Shear- estimated 5,000 pairs in 1979 to more than 100,000 .

c waters, a threatened species, have collided with Duck (Koloa), Laysan m o pairs in 2008, and recolonization by Tristram’s Duck, Hawaiian Hawk utility lines and structures or have been grounded Storm-Petrels and Bulwer’s Petrels. (`Io), Hawaiian Moorhen

(`Alae `Ula), Hawaiian e r f W Coot (`Alae Ke`oke`o), Hawaiian Stilt Hawaiian Stilt (Ae`o), a n d e r V c

Hawaiian Crow (`Alalā), O`ahu Elepaio, Nihoa r i Millerbird, Kāma`o, Oloma`o, Puaiohi, Kaua`i `Ō`ō, E Laysan Finch, Nihoa Finch, `Ō`ū, Palila, Par- rotbill, Kaua`i `Akialoa, Nukupu`u, `Akiapōlā`au, Hawai`i Creeper, O`ahu `Alauahio, Kākāwahie, Hawai`i `Ākepa, Maui `Ākepa, `Ākohekohe, Po`ouli. Threatened: Newell’s Shearwater.

The 7,500-acre Hanawi Natural Area Reserve supports some of Hawaii’s most important concentrations of native birds, including `Ākohekohe and Maui Parrotbill. Hawaii’s islands were once forested with native trees such as koa, `ohia, mānele, and sandalwood. Since human colonization, approximately half of these forests have been lost.

26 Island Birds: Vulnerable and Often Overlooked Saving Hawaii’s Birds Most island birds evolved on remote archipela- • Restoration and protection of mid-elevation goes, so they are extremely vulnerable to inva- forest is essential for the recovery of endan- sive plants, wildlife introduced by humans, the gered species such as `Akiapōlā`au, Hawai`i onslaught of new predators, habitat degradation, and Maui `Ākepas, and Hawai`i Creeper. and disease. In the last five centuries, 87% percent • A highest priority action with the greatest po- of bird extinctions worldwide have taken place on tential benefits for native birds is the fencing islands. of habitats to exclude feral ungulates. This im- Most of Hawaii’s conservation crises result from proves habitat quality and reduces numbers of the introduction of nonnative plants and animals, disease-carrying mosquitoes (trampled areas Pa l i l a b y j a c k j effreyphoto .c o m y but climate change is a growing concern. The and downed tree ferns collect water where mosquitoes breed). leading threats to Hawaiian birds include habi- duce the spread of invasive, exotic plants in tat degradation from trampling and grazing by • Protecting all groups of native Hawaiian birds areas important to threatened birds. Golden introduced ungulates; nonnative predators (e.g., by federal law should be explored and imple- crownbeard needs to be eradicated from the feral cats, mongooses, rats); nonnative plants and mented, such as for Hawaiian honeycreepers, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, especially diseases; and bird diseases spread by introduced which are not protected under the Migratory on Midway Atoll where the plant threatens mosquitoes. Bird Treaty Act. to overwhelm nesting areas for the world’s Most native birds are now largely restricted to • Targeted trapping and use of rodenticides to largest colonies of Laysan and Black-footed forests above the mosquito line at about 5,000 feet, reduce numbers of nonnative predators such albatrosses. a haven that is expected to shrink as increasing as rats, cats, and mongoose will improve nest- • Some bird species require captive breeding to global temperatures enable mosquitoes to survive ing success and survivorship of birds. ensure the continued existence and recovery at higher altitudes. In addition, rising sea level is • Focused efforts are urgently needed to re- of wild populations. Release of captive-bred projected to inundate important breeding sites for Palila and translocation of wild birds has

many species, especially for seabirds on the low- o m

c resulted in the establishment of a small breed- . lying Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. ing population in a second location on the Big Island.

More Online effreyphoto j • Nesting albatrosses on Midway Atoll can en- k c a Visit www.stateofthebirds.org for information j counter lead-based paint peeling from World on birds of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, War II era buildings. On Midway Atoll, as Guam, Northern Marianas, American Samoa, many as 10,000 Laysan Albatross chicks die remote Pacific Islands, and Navassa Island. from lead poisoning each year. Cost-effective measures of reducing this threat should be further explored.

Hawaii’s native birds and habitats are under siege from invasive species and The endangered `Ākohekohe lives in the native forests of Maui. disease. Immediate action is needed to In its very restricted range, `Ākohekohe are vulnerable to habitat degradation by introduced plants and by the grazing of introduced prevent birds from going extinct cattle, pigs, and goats. Fencing to control feral mammals will help to within our lifetimes. stabilize or reverse population declines.

27 S l i a n Year of Estimated Population at Current K Taxon Status Listing Habitat(s) Listing/Historic Numbers Trend Since Listing Population e t i

y b Hawaiian Goose (Nene) E 1973 Islands Low of 30 Gradual increase 1,700 M

t r a Hawaiian Duck E 1973 Islands <500 in 1949 Gradual increase 2,400 j n a Laysan Duck E 1973 Islands Low of 7; ~500 at listing Significant recent increase 650 L

k n i t r e m m a Steller’s Eider T 1997 Arctic, Coasts Unknown Likely remained stable (staging) 75,000 Spectacled Eider T 1993 Arctic, Coasts 3,400; hard to survey Likely increase 7,000 Greater Prairie-Chicken (Attwater’s) E 1973 Grasslands 1 million in early 20th Century Decreasing 72 Northern Bobwhite (Masked) E 1973 Grasslands Extirpated late 1800s Never fully established 10 Short-tailed Albatross E 1973 Ocean Believed extinct before 1950 Significant Increase 2,400 Hawaiian Petrel E 1973 Ocean, Islands Unknown Decreasing 15,000 Newell’s Shearwater T 1975 Ocean, Islands Unknown Decreasing At least 36,000 Brown Pelican (Gulf Coast, California) E 1973 Coasts Less than 1,000 in CA, almost Steady increase 46,000 extirpated along Gulf Coast Wood Stork E 1984 Wetlands, Coasts ~5,000 at listing Steady increase 22,000 Endangered Species California Condor E 1973 Aridlands 22 in 1987 Gradual increase 330 Snail Kite (Everglades) E 1973 Marsh 65 Increase with fluctuations 685 The Long Road to Recovery Bald Eagle (Sonoran Desert) T 1973 Wetlands, Coasts 21 in 1975 Steady increase 100 Hawaiian Hawk (`Io) E 1973 Islands ~2,000 Stable 2,000 In 1973, the United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act to protect and recover Crested Caracara (Florida) T 1987 Subtropical Forest 100 Initial increase; since stable 1,000 imperiled species and the ecosystems upon Aplomado Falcon (Northern) E 1986 Grasslands, Aridlands Extirpated in the 1950s Slow increase 100 which they depend. The Act has succeeded Clapper Rail (California) E 1973 Coasts Unknown Likely remained stable 1,350 more often than it has failed, and some success- Clapper Rail (Yuma) E 1973 Marsh 750 Likely remained stable 1,000 es have been spectacular, such as the increase Clapper Rail (Light-footed) E 1973 Coasts 406 in 1980 Apparent steady increase 800 of the Aleutian Canada Goose from fewer than Common Moorhen (Hawaiian) E 1973 Islands 57 in the 1960s Gradual increase <1,000 1,000 birds to more than 60,000, and the remark- able comebacks of the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Hawaiian Coot E 1973 Islands ~1,000 Gradual increase 3,000 Falcon.* Sandhill Crane (Mississippi) E 1973 Wetlands 40 Slight increase 100 However, the possibility of extinction is still a Whooping Crane E 1973 Wetlands, Coasts 16 in 1941 Gradual increase 540 cold reality for many birds: 13 species may no Snowy Plover (Western, Pacific Coast) T 1993 Coasts Unknown Gradual increase 2,300 longer exist in the wild (10 species from Hawaii, Piping Plover (Atlantic, Great Plains) T 1985 Coasts, Wetlands Unknown Gradual increase 7,000 plus Bachman’s Warbler, Ivory-billed Wood- Piping Plover (Great Lakes) E 1985 Coasts Unknown Increase with fluctuations 110 pecker, and Eskimo Curlew). Several species Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian) E 1973 Islands ~1000 Gradual increase 1,500 face unprecedented conflict with humans for land at peak economic value (for example, in Eskimo Curlew E 1973 Arctic Historically abundant Likely extinct Unknown peninsular Florida, mid-continental prairies, Least Tern (Interior) E 1985 Wetlands 5,000 but surveys incomplete Probably stable 18,000 coastal California, Texas hill country, and the Least Tern (California) E 1973 Coasts 1,200 Steady increase 13,000 Pacific Northwest). Roseate Tern (Florida) T 1987 Coasts Unknown Decreasing 350 Of the 74 bird species, subspecies, and popu- Roseate Tern (Northeast) E 1987 Coasts ~6,000 Fluctuating 6,000 lations listed in the United States, 30 have in- Marbled Murrelet T 1992 Coasts, Forests Unknown Decreasing 25,000 creased since listing, 16 have remained stable, Spotted Owl (Northern) T 1990 Western Forest Unknown Decreasing 8,500 15 have decreased, and 13 are possibly extinct. Spotted Owl (Mexican) T 1993 Western Forest Unknown Unknown (in U .S .) 1,500

28 Year of Estimated Population at Current Taxon Status Listing Habitat(s) Listing/Historic Numbers Trend Since Listing Population In the continental United States, populations Red-cockaded Woodpecker E 1973 Eastern Forest 10,000 Steady increase 20,000 of more species that were listed early-on have Ivory-billed Woodpecker E 1973 Eastern Forest Unknown Unknown Near or at zero increased than those listed more recently, ac- cording to the American Bird Conservancy. Willow Flycatcher (Southwestern) E 1995 Eastern Forest 700; surveys incomplete Apparent increase 2,000 This indicates that long-term conservation ef- Kaua`i `O`o E 1973 Islands ~10 Likely extinct late 1980s 0 forts can pay great dividends. Loggerhead Shrike (San Clemente) E 1977 Aridlands 50 Gradual increase 230 An Urgent Need for Protection Bell’s Vireo (Least) E 1986 Aridlands 600 Steady increase 6,000 Black-capped Vireo E 1987 Aridlands Unknown Some increases noted 12,000 Some species languish on the candidate list ow- ing to lack of resources for listing. The highest Florida Scrub-Jay T 1987 Eastern Forest 11,000 Decreasing 6,500 priority candidates must be quickly protected (`Alala) E 1973 Islands 96, including captive flock (all captive) 60 so that urgently needed conservation actions Elepaio () E 2000 Islands Unknown Decreasing 2,000 can be mounted. Funding for endangered Ha- California Gnatcatcher (Coastal) T 1993 Aridlands Unknown Decreasing; habitat loss (in U . S .) 5,000 waiian birds must be increased: only 4.1% of Millerbird (Nihoa) E 1973 Islands ~400 Fluctuating (in 1996) 155 all state and federal funding for federally listed Kama`o E 1973 Islands 350 Likely extinct early 1990s 0 bird species is spent on Hawaiian birds, which represent 44% of all listed species. Oloma`o E 1973 Islands Ten or fewer Likely extinct 1980s 0 Puaiohi E 1973 Islands Unknown Gradual small increase 350 The most cost-effective solution of all is to stop bird species from declining before they require Bachman’s Warbler E 1973 Eastern Forest Probably extinct before listing Likely extinct Unknown Endangered Species Act protection. Coopera- Golden-cheeked Warbler E 1990 Aridlands Unknown Likely decreasing 21,000 tive conservation measures involving govern- Kirtland’s Warbler E 1973 Eastern Forest 167 Steady increase 3,000 ment and tribal agencies, nongovernmental California Towhee (Inyo) T 1987 Aridlands 100 Steady increase 750 organizations, and private landowners are es- Sage Sparrow (San Clemente) T 1977 Aridlands Unknown Likely stable 300 sential to keep common birds common and to Grasshopper Sparrow (Florida) E 1986 Grasslands 600 Stable or slight decrease 400 recover failing bird populations while there is still time. Seaside Sparrow (Cape Sable) E 1973 Coasts 6,000+ Decreasing 3,200 For more on endangered species, including Laysan Finch E 1973 Islands ~11,000 Fluctuating ~11,000 birds listed in the U.S. island territories, visit Nihoa Finch E 1973 Islands ~3,000 Unknown, likely fluctuating 2,800 www.stateofthebirds.org. `O`u E 1973 Islands Unknown Likely extinct c . late 1980s 0 Palila E 1973 Islands Unknown Decreasing 2,200 Key: Maui Parrotbill E 1973 Islands 500 Stable 500 E—Endangered, T—Threatened Greater `Akialoa (Kaua`i) E 1973 Islands Probably extinct before listing Likely extinct c . 1960s 0 Population estimates include captive and Nukupu`u E 1973 Islands Unknown Likely extinct c . 1995 0 wild populations where known. Estimates `Akiapola`au E 1973 Islands ~1,200 Likely stable 1,200 are approximate except for species with very Hawai`i Creeper E 1975 Islands ~12,000 Decline 6,300 small populations. O`ahu `Alauahio E 1973 Islands Unknown Likely extinct c . 1990 0 * Fully delisted: Aleutian race of the Canada Kakawahie E 1973 Islands Probably extinct before listing Likely extinct 0 Goose, and American and arctic races of the `Akepa (Maui) E 1973 Islands 10 in 1980 Likely extinct 1980s or 1990s 0 Peregrine Falcon. Partial delisting: Bald Eagle, `Akepa (Hawai`i) E 1973 Islands ~14,000 Stable 14,000 Brown Pelican. `Akohekohe E 1973 Islands ~3,800 Stable 3,750 Po`ouli E 1975 Islands ~20 Likely extinct in 2004 0

29 Residential and Commercial Development Challenges The accelerated pace of urban, suburban, and commercial development in the United States threatens the integrity of every major habitat, from con- Successful bird conservation requires giving birds a long-term tinued draining of wetlands and destruction of coastal marshes, to loss and chance to survive and reproduce. Humans have created numerous fragmentation of forests, aridlands, and grasslands because of suburban threats to birds in addition to the natural challenges that birds sprawl. Unlike timber production and livestock grazing, urbanization and constantly face from starvation, predation, and severe weather. sprawl cause permanent loss of natural habitats. Increased development in rural areas, such as second-home development, has equal or greater eco- Based on decades of research, conservationists have identified the logical consequences than growth of urban centers. most important threats to birds, including the greatest threat of all— Steep declines in many bird populations are a direct result of unplanned habitat loss. Addressing these conservation challenges can ensure a and sprawling urbanization. Birds that are particularly hard hit include safe future for birds and improve the quality of life for people too. farmland species such as meadowlarks and Bobolink; eastern birds de- Here, we summarize the major challenges affecting bird populations. pendent on shrubby habitats, such as American Woodcock and Brown Thrasher; and birds of western deserts and chaparral, such as Bendire’s and E

i r California thrashers. Fragmentation of forests by development can increase c E

n i e t s p risk of predation for forest-interior birds, such as Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler, and can contribute to nest failures from increasing numbers of cowbirds, which lay their eggs in these birds’ nests. Coastal development causes loss of beach dunes and threatens fragile salt marshes, harming birds such as Black Rail and Seaside Sparrow, as well as migratory shorebirds and other water birds dependent on tidal mudflats and estuaries. As many as one billion birds each year may die from collisions with man- made obstacles, including windows, transmission towers, power lines, and wind turbines. Tall, lighted buildings and other structures along coastlines kill millions of migrating birds each year. Conservationists are explor- ing and implementing innovative ways to reduce this grim toll, but much remains to be done.

Agriculture The way that we use land to grow our food has significant impacts on birds. Because of conversion of grasslands to agriculture, grasslands are the most endangered ecosystem in North America. The Conservation Reserve Pro- gram and other initiatives pay farmers to keep areas with erodible soils and sensitive habitats out of production. Farmer participation in this success- ful program varies. In 2008, for example, farmer involvement was affected by high commodity prices for corn and other grain caused by the growing demand for food and biofuels. In the future, millions of program acres will expire or will not be renewed, putting vital grassland habitat in jeopardy.

Suburban sprawl and other causes of habitat loss are the biggest threats to birds.

30 Energy Production and Mining The number and scope of severe threats to birds is Energy development has significant negative effects on birds in North daunting, but implementing solutions immediately and America including habitat loss, reduction in habitat quality, direct mortality, widely will pay off in benefits to society, the economy, and disruption. Construction, operation, and associated infrastructure of and the health of our environment. energy development such as oil and gas fields, wind farms, and geothermal fields reduce and fragment habitat. Oil and gas development in the West is affecting birds such as Greater Sage-Grouse by fragmenting large blocks construction, monocultural tree plantations, and fire suppression. These of habitat. Energy field development alters natural environments in ways have caused fragmentation; a lack of mature trees, snags, and natural early that favor invasive plants and animals. Gulls that prey on other birds are successional forests; degradation of streamside habitats; and overgrowth of subsidized by garbage dumps at drilling facilities in Alaska. Surface water brush and small trees because of fire exclusion, all of which can have nega- created as a result of coalbed methane extraction allows mosquitoes that tive consequences for wildlife. For example, more than 85% of old-growth transmit diseases such as West Nile virus to breed. Roads used for construc- forest in the Pacific Northwest has been eliminated, leading to the listing of tion often become paths for invasive plants such as cheatgrass to spread. the Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet as threatened under the Deaths of birds and nesting failures are associated with spills during trans- Endangered Species Act. portation of petroleum products and oil field practices such as discharging In arid regions of the West, excessive grazing has degraded grasslands oily waste into uncovered pits. Collisions with wind turbines, offshore oil and denuded streamside areas where most bird species forage and breed. rigs, and powerlines cause significant mortality. Construction and opera- Overfishing in oceans has led to the starvation and nesting failures of birds. tions of energy fields can displace birds and disrupt nesting. Prairie-chick- Overharvesting of horseshoe crabs has been attributed to rapid declines of ens and sage-grouse avoid nesting near tall structures. Studies show that Red Knots, which must gorge on horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay to they usually abandon breeding areas near drilling rigs or wind turbines. finish their annual migration to the arctic. Many fishing practices such as Mining can cause extensive habitat disturbance, degradation, and loss. For long-lining, gill nets, and trawling can hook or entangle seabirds or disrupt example, coal mining that blasts mountaintops to reveal coal seams below their food supply. has removed large areas of eastern forests and buried nearby streamside habitats under tons of debris. This contributes to the decline of birds that Invasive and Problem Species breed in interior forests, such as Cerulean Warblers. Invasive species are those that spread uncontrollably after being introduced to an area where they are not native. Invasive plants and animals are major Natural Resource Use threats to native bird species in numerous ways. The intentional killing of birds has been a significant factor in the past, Nonnative predators have the greatest single impact by killing adult birds including egrets killed for plumes, as well as eggs and young. Domestic and feral cats kill hundreds of millions shorebirds for food, and raptors of birds each year. Island nesting birds, particularly seabirds, are very vul- for sport. Hunting is no longer a nerable since they mostly nest on the ground or in burrows and are easily cause of bird population declines in captured by rats, foxes, cats, dogs, and mongooses. the United States, thanks to strong Invasive plants also impact birds by rendering the habitat unsuitable. regulations and harvest manage- Because of the aggressive shrub saltcedar, areas along southwestern water- ment. However, numerous other ways have become extremely poor habitat for Willow Flycatcher, Yellow- practices related to resource use are billed Cuckoo, and other species. Saltcedar has also crowded out beaches still a deadly factor for birds. e e needed by nesting Snowy Plovers. Cheatgrass has modified millions of L Most U.S. forest ecosystems have acres of sagebrush habitat, lowering its value for species of concern such as e t e r P been affected by logging, road Greater Sage-Grouse, Sage Thrasher, and Sage Sparrow. Unsustainable logging in the boreal forest destroys habitat needed by wildlife.

31 Introduced diseases are a major threat to some bird species. Avian malaria Climate Change has contributed significantly to the decline and extinction of many Hawai- The U.S. has warmed by an aver- ian birds, including the Kaua`i `Ō`ō. Birds on the mainland are also vulner- age of 1 degree Fahrenheit during able to introduced diseases such as West Nile virus, which has been found the last century, primarily because in more than 200 bird species in the U.S. and which has caused significant of greenhouse gas emissions. Our mortality of American Crows and related species. nation is also 5–10% wetter on aver- Many bird species have been introduced to the U.S. from other parts of the age now than historically, though

world and some have established self-sustaining populations. European y n most of this can be attributed to Starlings and House Sparrows compete aggressively with native birds for V severe weather events, which can e r r i t

nesting sites and frequently displace birds such as woodpeckers, swallows, G damage habitats without alleviating and bluebirds. Birds are at grave risk from habitat changes caused drought. Most estimates suggest by climate change, including inundated nesting that without action, the U.S. will Pollution areas and altered food supplies. warm by another 5–9 degrees over the next century and the sea level will rise by more than 1.5 feet. Pesticides, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals such as lead and mercury Climate change already has influenced the abundance, distribution, and cause significant bird mortality and reduce breeding success. These effects timing of migration and breeding for many bird species. A recent study by are sometimes hard to detect, but can produce dramatic population declines the National Audubon Society showed that more than half of the birds com- over time. DDT caused the thinning and breakage of eggshells, nearly wip- monly found on the Christmas Bird Count are wintering farther north now ing out several bird species in the U.S., including Peregrine Falcons, Brown than 40 years ago. American Robins are now arriving approximately 14 Pelicans, and Bald Eagles. days earlier than they did in 1981 on their breeding grounds in the Colora- The U.S. applies approximately five billion pounds of pesticides annually. A do Rocky Mountains. Tree Swallows have advanced their breeding date by pesticide poisoning database documents more than 2,500 incidents, in- up to nine days earlier from 1959 to 1994. Red-winged Blackbirds, Eastern cluding 113 pesticides implicated in the deaths of more than 400,000 birds. Bluebirds, and eastern populations of Song Sparrows now lay their eggs Carbofuran has been responsible for more than 20% of all incidents, and earlier because spring temperatures are warmer. A great concern is that the the deaths of more than 40,000 birds. Many of the pesticides highly toxic earlier arrival of migrating birds may be out of sync with food availability. to birds have been eliminated from use in the U.S., but continue to be used In addition to these effects on migration and breeding, birds are at grave legally in Latin America where migratory birds are exposed to them during risk from habitat changes caused by climate change, especially in arctic tun- the winter. dra, alpine meadows, sea ice and glaciers, coastal wetlands, marine atolls, Lead, mercury, and selenium also harm birds. Ingested lead fragments and ocean ecosystems. Many specialized birds live in these habitats, includ- and shot in game carcasses may have toxic effects on eagles, vultures, and ing Ivory Gulls that scavenge polar bear kills on floating sea ice, osy-finchr - other scavengers. Mercury deposition in forests and on surface waters from es that depend on high altitude meadows, rails and saltmarsh sparrows that burning coal becomes concentrated in foods eaten by fish-eating birds and depend on brackish coastal areas, and Kittlitz’s Murrelets that appear to forest songbirds. High selenium concentrations in wetlands impair the depend on glaciers. These species may face severe conservation challenges hatching of eggs and reproduction of waterfowl and shorebirds. Industrial in the coming decades. Sea level rise will inundate islands, jeopardizing chemicals such as dioxins and PCBs, once linked to many poisonings, have nesting birds. The potential spread of mosquito-borne avian malaria to been regulated and largely cleaned up, but new chemicals such as PBDE highland refugia for Hawaiian honeycreepers is also a serious concern. fire-retardants are emerging as contaminants that accumulate in plants and Climate change can affect the survival and reproduction of many bird spe- wildlife, with unknown effects on birds and humans. cies. Changes in prey distribution and abundance, reduced productivity, shrinking habitats, and competition and stresses from increasing popula- tions will present a great challenge to birds on land and at sea.

32 Healthy bird populations depend on maintenance OUR APPROACH of both the quality and quantity of habitats. These The State of the Birds: Focus on Habitats same habitats provide resources that are essential for human survival and quality of life. Trends in To develop this first State of the Birds report for the United States, our team of experts drew upon a variety of sources bird populations can give us initial insight into to determine the and population trends of more than 800 bird species that occur regularly within the health of these habitats, and thus provide an the continental U .S ., Hawaii, and U .S . oceans . indication of environmental sustainability. We began by assigning each bird species to one of seven primary habitats: oceans, coasts, wet- lands, arctic, forests, grasslands, or aridlands. Hawaiian landbirds were treated separately. We defined habitats following the 2008 Heinz Foun- dation report, The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems. A complete list of the birds in each habitat, as well as 2 1 habitat trends from the Heinz report can be found 4 3 at www.stateofthebirds.org. Birds that are restricted to a single habitat for breeding were defined as habitat obligates, rep- resenting an important group of species that are 6 7 Map Key most characteristic of a habitat and that should be most sensitive to environmental problems. Birds 8 Coasts 11 found in three or more habitats were considered 14 generalists. We recognized birds that use urban and Arctic 5 10 12 suburban landscapes as occupying a secondary 17 habitat. Boreal Forest 23 13 Eastern Forest 9 22 30 Bird Population Indicators: 15 Subtropical Forest 19 28 32 16 24 29 A Measure of Environmental Grasslands 18 Health 33 26 25 Western Forest 21 27 To assess the health of habitats, we created bird population indicators based on the best available Aridlands 20 34 37 31 monitoring data for groups of species in each hab- 36 35 itat. The concept of wild bird indicators has been applied widely throughout the world in other State of the Birds reports and has been accepted as an important measure of environmental health. www.stateofthebirds.org Each indicator represents the change in abun- dance for a group of bird species combined into a Visit our website for additional details about single indicator line. We chose 1968 as a base year the science behind bird population indicators as well as information about bird conservation and Numbers refer to bird conservation regions created by the North monitoring programs . American Bird Conservation Initiative . See www.stateofthebirds.org.

33 for these indicators, reflecting the 40-year span of reliable bird-monitoring A Special Thank You to Volunteers data for many species, as well as a period of environmental consciousness Our understanding of the long-term health of birds depends largely on the and habitat protection in the U.S. thousands of bird watchers and biologists who volunteer each year for the Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, or many other monitoring programs . Species of Conservation Concern The dedication and skill of these citizen scientists reflects their love of birds Because reliable long-term trend data were not available to create bird and the natural world, as well as their concern for the health of habitats and population indicators for all U.S. habitats, we also used the proportion of our environment .

species of conservation concern in each habitat as a separate indicator of D

Without the continued e n a i health or threats to that habitat. Our last line of defense against extinction

involvement of this T is the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, which lists 67 bird species as army of volunteer a i l g a s s e either endangered or threatened (see page 28). observers, this and We also recognize an additional 184 species of conservation concern, based - H any future State of s e m y on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 Birds of Conservation Concern, the Birds reports and the 2007 WatchList, produced by the American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society from information compiled by bird conser- would simply not be vation partnerships. These species show elevated levels of risk based on possible . For more on small range or population size, high threats, or declining trends. Proactive how to participate conservation efforts aimed at keeping these species from becoming feder- in bird-monitoring ally listed constitute the primary focus of Partners in Flight, the U.S. Shore- programs see www. bird Conservation Plan, Waterbird Conservation for the Americas, and the stateofthebirds.org . North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

The State of Our Bird Monitoring Data Suggested Citation for this Report: North American Bird Conservation Initiative, U.S. Committee, 2009. The State of the Birds, United States In this first U.S. State of the Birds report, we relied on long-term trend data of America, 2009. U.S. Department of Interior: Washington, DC. 36 pages. from three primary bird population surveys. The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), administered by the U.S. Geological Survey and Cana- Contributors: dian Wildlife Service, and conducted at more than 4,000 sites by volunteer Project Leads: Bob Ford, Paul Schmidt observers, provided data for 365 breeding species since 1968. For 120 spe- Science Team: Brad Andres, Laurel Barnhill, Bob Blohm, Brad Bortner, Greg Butcher, Jorge Coppen, Charles Francis, Debbie Hahn, Mark Koneff, David Mehlman, David Pashley, Kenneth V. Rosenberg, John cies that breed outside the area of reliable BBS coverage, but winter primar- R. Sauer, Jennifer Wheeler ily within the U.S., we used trends from the National Audubon Society’s Communications Team: John Bowman, Connie Bruce, Miyoko Chu, Ashley Dayer, Steve Holmer, Pat Christmas Bird Count. Finally, trends for 13 waterfowl species were pro- Leonard, Alicia King, Ellen Marcus, Gemma Radko, Nicholas Throckmorton, Blythe Thomas, Nancy vided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service Severance, Joshua Winchell from the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, conducted by Lead Analyst: John R. Sauer trained pilots and wildlife biologists across the northern U.S. and Canada. Editor: Miyoko Chu Analysis for this State of the Birds report represents the first integration of Designer: Susan Steiner Spear long-term results across these three important surveys, using new statisti- We thank the following people for reviewing or contributing to the development of this report: cal techniques developed by scientists at the USGS and National Audubon John Alexander, Eleanora Babij, Breck Carmichael, Tom Cooper, Martha Desmond, Dan Dessecker, George Fenwick, John Fitzpatrick, Krishna Gifford, Richard Gregory, Catherine Hickey, Dave Howell, Society. Our analysis also highlights the lack of reliable long-term data for Dave Krueper, Marcia Maslonek, Larry Neel, Daniel K. Niven, Mike Parr, Melissa Pitkin, Terry Rich, many poorly monitored bird groups, most notably arctic-nesting shore- Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Scott Yaich, Emily Silverman, George Wallace, Jeff Wells, Roger Wells. birds, colonial seabirds, and oceanic species. New monitoring efforts for The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the lead in creating this report through an unprecedented these species and habitats are essential for future State of the Birds reports. partnership involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State wildlife agencies, and nongovernmental organizations as a subcommittee of the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI).

34 The birds we see in our backyards, fields, forests, deserts, and oceans have much to tell us about the health of the environment. Each year, thousands of citizen- science participants contribute data from across the United States, making it possible to identify birds in trouble. By understanding the message from birds and taking action, we can help them thrive and safeguard our own future.

Ba c k c o v e r p h o t o s f r o m t o p , l e f t t o r i g h t : Gr e a t e r Sa g e -Gr o u s e b y Te d Sc h r o e d e r ; Ha n a w i Na t u r a l Ar e a Re s e r v e , Ma u i , Ha w a i i , b y Er i c Va n d e r We r f ; Ca s s i n 's Fi n c h b y Da r r e l l E. Sp a n g l e r , Pa c i f i c Co a s t , Bi g Su r , Ca l i f o r n i a , b y Ge r r i t Vy n , Co m m o n Mu r r e s b y Ge r r i t Vy n , Ev e r g l a d e s b y Ke n n e t h V. Ro s e n b e r g . Th i s p a g e : Sa n d h i l l Cr a n e s b y Da v i d Qu a n r u d .

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