# Global and North American migratory bird declines

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-north-american-migratory-bird-declines
> Updated: 2026-09-11T08:27:09.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Global migratory bird populations continue to face severe declines. While previous estimates suggested 51% of the approximately 1,800 migratory species were experiencing losses, the ‘State of the World’s Birds 2026’ report by BirdLife International indicates that 45% of the world’s 1,843 migratory species are in decline. The report warns that one in nine migratory species is threatened with extinction, with 200 species (11%) at risk and 32 classified as critically endangered.

Habitat loss and degradation remain the primary drivers, accounting for 65% of the risk for critically endangered species. In the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, 53% of species are declining, and 58% of the habitats used for breeding, feeding, and resting are categorized as being in ‘poor or very poor condition’. Marine and coastal species are particularly vulnerable, with 54% of migratory shorebirds and 49% of migratory seabirds experiencing declines.

Regional threats persist, including trapping in East Asian and Australian routes, which affects 47% of terrestrial bird species. In the United States and Canada, collisions with high-rise buildings and predation by domestic cats result in over one billion bird fatalities annually. Other contributing factors include climate change, invasive species, overhunting, and agricultural expansion. The recent official extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew in 2025 highlights the ongoing biodiversity loss. In response to these trends, various governments and organizations signed the ‘Nairobi Flyways Declaration’ to commit to protecting vital migratory routes.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: BirdLife International report warns of decline in 45% of migratory bird species

A new BirdLife International report warns that 45% of migratory bird species are in decline and 11% face extinction, driven by habitat loss, climate change, and human activity.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/birdlife-international-report-warns-of-migratory-bird-declines

### 2026-08-21: North American bird populations decline by billions since 1970

North American bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion since 1970, driven by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, leaving many species at a conservation tipping point.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-american-bird-populations-decline-by-billions-since-1970

### 2026-08-15: Migratory bird populations face rising human-induced threats

Migratory bird populations are declining globally due to human activities. Key threats include habitat loss, climate change, building collisions in North America, and trapping in East Asia and Australia.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/migratory-bird-populations-face-rising-human-induced-threats

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Cite as: Global and North American migratory bird declines. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-north-american-migratory-bird-declines