Five years after a landmark 2019 study revealed North America had lost three billion birds over the past 50 years, a new report from conservationists confirms the crisis is far from over. Their 2025 State of the Birds report highlights continued declines across numerous bird species, with downward trends even among waterfowl, once considered a conservation success story.
The latest data from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Audubon Society confirm that America’s birds continue to struggle. More than 229 bird species—roughly one-third of all U.S. birds—are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns due to continued population declines.
According to scientists from the American Bird Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Audubon Society, shorebirds are among the most at-risk groups. Nearly 70% of monitored species show sustained losses despite existing conservation efforts.
Duck populations—previously a bright spot in conservation efforts—are trending downward. Long Island has seen a recent rash of waterfowl deaths attributed to the avian flu, with birds described as “practically dropping from the sky.” The virus has led to the culling of 168 million poultry nationwide and caused egg prices to soar.
Despite the grim outlook, the scientists emphasize that proactive conservation efforts can bring the birds back. Success stories such as the American Oystercatcher Recovery Initiative—which coordinated funding and management strategies across 16 states—have led to a 43% increase in regional breeding populations. Other efforts, including coastal restoration, sustainable grazing practices, and seabird translocations, have demonstrated that strategic investments can reverse bird declines when implemented effectively.
The area around Moriches Inlet has seen substantial habitat restoration efforts over the last two years, with a new beach recently created on Moriches Bay and a vegetation clearing effort near Smith Point Park designed to attract nesting piping plovers, an endangered species and other shorebirds such as oystercatchers. The report, however, warns that current conservation efforts are not enough to offset ongoing habitat loss.
According to the report, conservation benefits not only wildlife but also people and the economy. Policies aimed at restoring bird populations can lead to cleaner water, healthier working lands, and more resilient landscapes that withstand wildfires, droughts, and damage such as that caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Bird watching is a substantial economic driver, with 100 million Americans identifying as birders. Their activity generates $279 billion annually in economic output, supporting jobs in tourism, outdoor recreation, and conservation, the report notes.
To reverse the tide, the scientists call for stronger federal and state conservation policies, private landowner incentives, and voluntary conservation partnerships. Programs that support working lands, wetlands, and migratory bird corridors are seen as critical tools for immediate and long-term bird recovery.