The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was released on 13 March. The report, produced by a coalition of leading science and conservation organizations (including the AOS), reveals continued widespread declines in American bird populations across all mainland and marine habitats, with 229 species requiring urgent conservation action. The report comes five years after the landmark 2019 study that documented the loss of three billion birds in North America over 50 years. Key findings from the new report show that more than one-third of U.S. bird species are of high or moderate conservation concern, including 112 Tipping Point species that have lost more than 50 percent of their populations in the last 50 years. That includes 42 red-alert species facing perilously low populations, such as Selasphorus sasin (Allen’s Hummingbird), Agelaius tricolor (Tricolored Blackbird), and Ammospiza caudacuta (Saltmarsh Sparrow)—birds that are at risk without immediate intervention. Bird populations in almost every habitat are declining. Most notably, duck populations, which have been a bright spot in past State of the Birds reports, have trended downward in recent years. Proactively working to protect America’s birds is not just about the birds. According to the report, supporting bird conservation can boost the U.S. economy. With nearly 100 million Americans engaged in birding activities, their contributions to local and state economies are substantial: The total economic output related to bird watching activities is $279 billion, and birding related activities support 1.4 million jobs.
The report also notes that birds and nature are vital for Americans’ mental health, citing research indicating that encounters with birds have proven beneficial for human well-being, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Despite the concerning trends, the report emphasizes that conservation efforts can succeed when adequately supported. Private lands programs and conservation partnerships such as conservation ranching, coastal restoration, forest renewal, and seabird translocation show how concerted efforts and strategic investments can recover bird populations.
You can read or download the complete report at https://www.stateofthebirds.org/2025/. If you have questions about the report, contact the AOS Conservation Committee co-chair Jeff Walters (jrwalt@vt.edu).