Report released in Kenya: 45% of migratory bird species are declining
In Nairobi, Kenya, the BirdLife International State of the World’s Birds 2026 report was released during the Global Flyways Summit. According to it, global population numbers are declining in 45% of the 1,843 assessed migratory bird species. Another 200 species, or 11%, are threatened with extinction, Anadolu Agency reports.
The sixth edition of the global assessment combines BirdLife International data and findings from broader scientific research. Populations of 30% of assessed migratory species are stable, 14% are increasing, while trends for the remaining 11% remain unknown.
Of the 200 species threatened with extinction, 32 are classified as critically endangered, 57 as endangered, and 111 as vulnerable. Another 111 species were categorized as near threatened. Overall, about 17% of all migratory birds are of serious conservation concern.
Declines by flyway
The most pronounced declines were recorded among species dependent on marine and coastal wetlands. Populations are decreasing in 54% of migratory shorebirds and 49% of migratory seabirds. For species associated with marine environments, forests, and coastal wetlands, this figure ranges from 47% to 51%.
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The highest share of species with declining populations, 53%, was identified on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway among the four main terrestrial routes. Half of the species using the world’s six marine migration routes are also declining. According to regional monitoring data, the number of birds making long-distance flights between Europe and Africa has fallen by about 35% since 1980.
Pressure from human activity
The report states that nearly all major pressures on migratory birds are linked to human activity. Invasive species and diseases affected 139 threatened species, agriculture and climate change affected 103 species each, hunting and trapping affected 99, and pollution affected 96.
BirdLife International’s chief scientist Stuart Butchart said that the decline in migratory bird populations indicates increasing pressure on natural systems. The report called for stronger international cooperation to protect and restore habitats along migration routes, prevent the illegal killing of birds, and reduce their deaths caused by fishing.
Participants of the summit in Nairobi adopted the Nairobi Declaration, pledging to strengthen cooperation along migration routes. The document was accompanied by plans involving the Asian Development Bank, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the World Bank to mobilize about $6 billion for the conservation and restoration of habitats.
