Nearly 50% of migratory bird species facing decline worldwide

A new global report has found that nearly half of the world’s migratory bird species are in decline. 

BirdLife International’s State of the World’s Birds report says 45 per cent of migratory bird species are declining, while one in nine is facing the threat of extinction.

The report has cited climate change, habitat loss, invasive species and unsustainable hunting as the main causes.

The findings were released at the Global Flyways Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

Governments and conservation groups have pledged stronger international co-operation to protect migratory birds.

The CEO of BirdLife International, Martin Harper, said, “At the Global Flyways Summit in Nairobi, BirdLife International released the State of the World’s Birds Report focused on migratory birds, and the findings send a really clear warning. 45% of migratory bird species are now in decline, and one in nine faces extinction. But today has also been about action. Here at the summit, leaders, scientists and conservation organisations signed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration, committing to stronger cooperation across borders to protect the wetlands, forests, coastal and marine habitats that migratory birds depend on throughout their journeys.”