Each year approximately 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enters the ocean. For birds that inhabit our seas and shores, plastic pollution poses a major threat, claiming the lives of countless birds every year. These deaths are largely driven by ingestion, when birds swallow plastics, and entanglement, when birds are trapped or strangled by plastic materials. … Read More>>

People have long understood that human activities can harm birds. The publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 was a landmark in raising this awareness, and the celebration of the first Earth Day in 1970 marked the beginning of a heightened level of activism that continues to this day. In spite of those advances, resources available for bird … Read More>>

As the climate changes, many birds are struggling to adapt. Climate change exacerbates existing threats, such as habitat loss and degradation, while adding new challenges, including shifting ranges and altered migration patterns. These threats pose an ever-growing danger to birds and are already pushing some species toward extinction. American Bird Conservancy is acting in three … Read More>>

More than 4,000 invasive species—usually introduced species that did not evolve in a particular area—had been established in the United States alone as of 1999. The delicate balance of nature that gave rise to unique species like the Marvelous Spatuletail of Peru and the Maui Parrotbill of Hawai'i is easily unsettled by the presence of invasive plants and animals. … Read More>>

Seabirds—species like Laysan Albatross and Pink-footed Shearwater—are “off the radar” for most people. We simply don't think about these birds that spend most of their lives over the open ocean. That's why it may come as a surprise to realize that human activities and fisheries in particular are a taking a great toll on these long-lived birds, … Read More>>

Thousands of Swainson's Hawks were found dead in agricultural fields in Argentina in the mid-1990s. When the mystery was solved, a commonly used pesticide was identified as the culprit. It's just one example of pesticides marketed as “safe” later being deemed deadly, and it's why our Pesticides Program works so hard to eliminate toxic chemicals. A current … Read More>>

Have you heard the “thud” as a bird hits your window? You're not alone. Every U.S. home kills about two birds each year—including long-distance migrants like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. To birds, trees and sky reflected in glass appear to be habitat. They fly into windows at high speeds, and the loss of life is staggering. Up … Read More>>

The habitat loss story repeats itself in endless variations. A Cerulean Warbler's habitat is replaced by a mining operation. A Golden Eagle's hunting grounds become a gauntlet of wind turbines. A flock of migratory Red Knots stops at a familiar spot and finds it short of food. Sweeping Scale of Habitat Loss These are the impacts of habitat … Read More>>

A casual observer might not notice, but take a closer look. Across the Americas, fewer birds inhabit our landscapes. Some familiar birds, like the Wood Thrush, are 50 percent less common than they were 50 years ago. This thrush is just one of dozens of native bird species in the Americas that may face extinction in the next … Read More>>