The release of the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was announced in March at the 90th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The report, produced by a coalition of leading science and conservation organizations, 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 3 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% of their populations in the last 50 years. That includes 42 red-alert species facing perilously low populations, such as Allen’s Hummingbird, Tricolored Blackbird, and Saltmarsh Sparrow—birds that are at risk without immediate intervention. 

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 report highlights findings from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, noting that the total economic output related to bird watching activities is $279 billion, and birding related activities support 1.4 million jobs.

“Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society. 

According to the report, 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.

WATERFOWL: Long-term gains level off, renewing conservation concerns

In past State of the Birds reports, waterfowl and waterbirds were the only groups that showed population gains, with waterfowl showing the greatest increases. Duck populations now are 24% higher than they were in 1970—the result of foundational policies (such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Duck Stamp program, and Conservation Title of the Farm Bill) that have long safeguarded wetland resources and associated habitats.

But today this legacy is in jeopardy. Loss of wetlands and grasslands are accelerating in key regions for waterfowl, and wetland protections are being weakened. Environmental and land-use changes are driving recent duck and marsh bird declines in many areas. Protecting America’s waterfowl and waterbird conservation legacy means living up to the policy pledge of no-net-loss of wetlands and delivering creative solutions that provide diverse benefits to wetland birds, agricultural producers, and broader society.

No-Net-Loss-Wetlands Policy Is Not Being Achieved

Bipartisan support for a “no-net-loss” of wetlands federal policy has been strong since it was first announced by President Bush in 1989. Yet the latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Status and Trends report shows that the annual rate of wetlands loss increased by more than 50% over past decades, with a staggering 670,000 acres of net loss among the vegetated wetlands that are crucial to the nation’s ecological health. 

The main drivers of wetlands loss include drainage and filling for agriculture, development, and silvicultural operations. Rebuilding America’s wetland complexes begins with defending the wetlands policy protections that remain. In particular, the Swampbuster provision of the Farm Bill has been vital to retaining wetlands and supporting populations of waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds in agricultural landscapes. 

The long-term resiliency of duck populations and other wetland birds absolutely depends on keeping a strong base of wetlands intact. 

For more information from our friends at the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

Waterfowl and Waterbirds – State of the Birds 2025

The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report was produced by a consortium of scientific and conservation organizations and entities led by North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI).