"The first-ever comprehensive assessment of net population changes in the U.S. and Canada reveals across-the-board declines that scientists call “staggering.” All told, the North American bird population is down by 2.9 billion breeding adults, with devastating losses among birds in every biome. Forests alone have lost 1 billion birds. Grassland bird populations collectively have declined by 53%, or another 720 million birds.
Forests alone have lost 1 billion birds. Grassland bird populations collectively have declined by 53%, or another 720 million birds.
The losses include favorite species seen at bird feeders, such as Dark-eyed Juncos (or “snowbirds,” down by 168 million) and sweet-singing White-throated Sparrows (down by 93 million). Eastern and Western Meadowlarks are down by a combined 139 million individuals. Even the beloved Red-winged Blackbird—a common sight in virtually every marsh and wet roadside across the continent—has declined by 92 million birds."
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2019
A new study finds steep, long-term losses across virtually all groups of birds in the U.S. and Canada
(It hasn't gotten better, except that during the pandemic, people seemed to suddenly get a kick out of birdwatching. That will certainly help....)
"[Photography] is prophecy in reverse. Like Cassandra, only looking backwards."
--Roland Barthes, Camera Lucida
