America's birds in peril

Steep declines of widespread birds is causing concern

- James Fair

OVERALL, NORTH AMERICAN BIRD populations have plummeted by 30 per cent since the 1970s, mirroring a similar trend in the UK, according to the 2025 US State of the Birds report.

The trend among common and abundant birds is a particular worry to scientists, such as Amanda Rodewold at the University of Cornell's Lab of Ornithology. "We are talking about species that should be able to live alongside us," says Rodewald.