State of the World's Birds

Taking the pulse of the planet

 

 

State of the World’s Birds is BirdLife International’s flagship science publication, using birds to assess the condition of our ecosystems as a whole. Five years in the making, this latest analysis of the scientific literature pinpoints the major trends and changes in bird populations, exploring the causes and identifying conservation solutions.

Read the full report here.

BirdLife International is a conservation organization working to protect birds and habitats around the world. If you would like to support our work, why not make a donation today?

 

The Imperial Amazon was classed as Critically Endangered - partly due to Hurricane Maria © HBW
A look back at some of the biggest bird conservation stories of 2019 News 24 March 2020
A lot can happen in a year. Browse some of the most important advances in bird conservation science that happened over 2019: part of the yearly update to our flagship publication, State of the World’s Birds.
Birdwatchers' sightings were found to be an accurate way to measure bird populations © Nicolas Mirguet / Flickr
15,000 birdwatchers contribute to first major report on India’s birds News 19 February 2020
The first ever full report on the state of India’s birds was released this week, made using data collected from over 15,000 birdwatchers across the country. Increases in Indian Peafowl and declines in raptors are among the major findings.
Gray Parrot
State of Africa’s Birds News 24 September 2018
At first glance, this latest review of the continent’s birds presents a pessimistic reflection of this expansion. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The report also shows us the significant headway that Partners across Africa have made in combatting these threats.
New report: over half the world's raptors have declining populations News 10 September 2018
We interview our Chief Scientist, Stuart Butchart, about a newly published paper: State of the World’s Raptors. What threats face this iconic group of birds, and what can we do to help?
As human settlements spread into wild spaces, wild animals are struggling to adapt © Christopher Bandini / Shutterstock
Why we need to break down the barriers between us and nature News 30 August 2018
Birds colliding with windows are an upsetting symptom of human encroachment on nature. But the barriers we put up between ourselves and the natural world are part of a larger problem.
The top five threats to birds may surprise you News 13 June 2018
One in eight bird species is in danger of extinction – but what are the main factors driving their decline? They might not be what you think. Read about the five biggest threats to bird biodiversity, and what’s being done to combat them.
The iconic sight of an Atlantic Puffin loading its beak with fish may soon be a thing of the past © Pixabay
7 birds you won’t believe are threatened with extinction News 25 April 2018
It’s a worrying trend: even birds that were once considered common and widespread are now plummeting towards extinction. Some of the species on this list will shock you.
The European Turtle Dove is one of many familiar bird species that now find themselves Globally Threatened [Photo: Revital Salomon]
Even familiar birds at risk of extinction, new study finds News 23 April 2018
The 2018 State of the World’s Birds report, which provides a comprehensive look at the health of bird populations globally, has found that the extinction crisis has spread so far that even some well-known species are now in danger.
State of Jordan’s Birds report launched News 16 December 2013
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)—BirdLife in Jordan—has just launched a major report on the status of the country’s avifauna. The publication, entitled the State of Jordan’s Birds, provides a detailed assessment of current bird populations, the threats they face, and the conservation actions that are being put in place to safeguard them.
Promoting evidence-based bird conservation: a valuable new resource and opportunities to share knowledge News 14 June 2013
There is a growing trend in nature conservation towards making decisions based on the best available scientific evidence, rather than using other, untested, information sources. Using the best available evidence for conservation actions makes sense and should improve conservation outcomes.
The on-going conversion of tropical habitats to cropland could jeopardise global efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity News 5 March 2013
A new report reveals the alarming rate at which tropical habitats are being cleared to make way for crops. The scale of habitat conversion predicted in the biodiversity-rich tropics could seriously undermine society’s capacity to meet internationally-agreed conservation targets.
IUCN WCC Day 1: What do birds tell us about the state of the planet? News 6 September 2012
Over the next week, 8,000 delegates from around the world are meeting at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju, the Republic of Korea, to explore many of our most pressing environmental and development challenges, and how nature is intricately linked to solving these issues.