51% of migratory bird species are in decline, according to one of the most comprehensive global assessments ever conducted on migratory birds. Published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, the study analysed bird populations across every major terrestrial and marine flyway, revealing that more than half of migratory bird species are experiencing long-term population declines. The findings come just months after the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) reported that 24% of migratory species are now threatened with extinction.

 Researchers warn that habitat loss, climate change, pollution, unsustainable hunting, and expanding human infrastructure are placing increasing pressure on birds that travel thousands of kilometres between breeding and wintering grounds. Since migratory birds play a vital role in pollination, seed dispersal, pest control, and maintaining healthy ecosystems, their decline poses serious ecological and economic consequences worldwide.

A Global Biodiversity Crisis Unfolding

The international study, led by researchers from Georgetown University in collaboration with ornithologists from several global organisations, highlights that migratory bird populations are declining across virtually every major flyway.

Scientists caution that the true scale of the crisis may be even greater because bird monitoring remains limited in many regions, particularly across the Global South, where funding, technology, and long-term ecological data are often lacking.

The researchers describe the current situation as the predictable result of decades of habitat destruction and environmental degradation.

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Protected Areas Alone Are Not Enough

The study argues that existing conservation strategies are no longer sufficient to reverse declining populations.

• Unlike resident birds, migratory species spend much of their annual life cycle outside protected areas, crossing multiple countries and continents.
• As a result, protecting only breeding or wintering habitats cannot fully safeguard these species.
• Researchers recommend adopting species-focused conservation strategies that address threats throughout the entire migratory journey rather than relying solely on local habitat protection.

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Scientists Call for Coordinated Global Action

As 51% of migratory bird species are in decline, experts say international cooperation has become more important than ever.

Peter P. Marra, Dean of Georgetown University’s Earth Commons Institute and co-lead author of the study, said the declines are alarming but not irreversible. He noted that science-based conservation, better monitoring, and coordinated policies can help reverse population losses before more species become threatened.

Nathan W. Cooper of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute added that this is the first assessment to evaluate migratory birds across all global flyways, providing a much clearer picture of worldwide trends.

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Successful Conservation Shows Recovery Is Possible

Despite the concerning findings, researchers emphasise that conservation efforts have delivered measurable success in the past.

• Targeted recovery programmes have helped restore populations of waterfowl, cranes, shorebirds, and raptors that were once close to extinction.
• The challenge now is expanding these successful approaches across international migratory routes that often span dozens of countries.
• According to BirdLife International, nearly one in eight bird species globally is threatened with extinction, while the Living Planet Report 2024 found an average 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations since 1970, underscoring the broader biodiversity crisis affecting ecosystems worldwide.

Key Findings from the Study

The study concludes that protecting migratory birds requires conservation strategies that extend beyond national borders. As climate change and habitat fragmentation continue to intensify, coordinated international action will be essential to safeguard migratory bird populations and preserve the ecological services they provide to ecosystems and communities around the world.

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