To save grassland birds, conserve their habitat

U.S. birds are declining in all habitats except one, according to the 2022 U.S. State of the Birds report released in October. While birds are declining overall in most ecosystems, they have increased in wetlands, an exception that points the way forward for saving birds while benefiting people.

Published by 33 leading science and conservation organizations and agencies, the 2022 U.S. State of the Birds report is the first look at the nation’s birds since a landmark 2019 study showed the dramatic loss of 3 billion birds in the U.S. and Canada in 50 years.

The 2022 report found that more than half of U.S. bird species are declining, most precipitously among grassland birds. And 70 newly identified tipping point species have each lost 50% or more of their populations in the past 50 years.

Yet U.S. waterbirds and ducks increased by 18% and 34% respectively.

“While a majority of bird species are declining, many waterbird populations remain healthy, thanks to decades of collaborative investments from hunters, landowners, state and federal agencies, and corporations,” said Karen Waldrop, chief conservation officer for the accredited Ducks Unlimited.

The report emphasizes that proactive conservation and land protection in more habitats will help birds and natural resources rebound. Recognizing the need to work at a larger, faster scale, 200 organizations from Mexico, Canada, the U.S. and Indigenous Nations are collaborating on a Central Grasslands Roadmap to conserve hundreds of millions of grassland acres.